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A 


Tp STUDENT 

OF 

BLENHEIM FOREST. 


ANNA HANSON DORSEY, 

Authob of “Coaina.*' “Flemmings.” “Tangled Paths,” 
“May Bbooke,” etc., etc., etc. 



SECOND THOUSAND. 



PUBLISHED BY JOHN MURPHY & CO., 

Printers to His Holiness the Pope, 

AND TO His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. 


^C 



Copyright, 1867, 

By JOHN MURPHY & CO. 

ALL EIGHTS RESERVED. 


THE 


Student of Blenheim Forest. 


CHi^PTER I. 

BLENHEIM FOREST AND THE YOUNG COLLEGIAN. 

The mansion of Colonel Clavering, which stood 
on one of the highlands of the Rappahannock, was 
the most ancient as well as one of the noblest coun- 
try seats in Virginia. It w’as built at a period when 
all the necessary material for a structure of its pre- 
tensions had to be brought from England, except the 
granite, which was obtained from a neighboring 
quarry ; and with its lofty windows, whose massive 
frames were filled with the small diamond-shaped 
glass of the olden time, opening to the lawn, its 
gray, ivy-covered walls and antique wings, which 
were connected with the main building by balconies, 
to which arch and pillar combined to give strength 
as well as beauty, it looked like the record of a by- 
gone age, which had taken note of time as it passed, 
but smiled with scorn on the eifacing fingers of 

3 


4 


THE STUDENT OF 


decay/’ The present proprietor was descended from 
a family which, for generations, had been the pride 
and the boast of the Old Dominion, and the mem- 
bers of which were as far famed for their amiability 
and worth as for their chivalrous bravery and staunch 
adherence to the chuDjii of England. The annals 
of their country had adorned with bright testimr^- 
nials the names of some of the Claverings, three of 
whom perished on the sea in defence of their flag 
and the honor of their native land ; others fell amid 
the carnage and thunders of a battle field, while 
some lived to wear with dignity their well earned 
laurels, and give a tone to the councils of state. Two, 
graduates of old Oxford, returned home from Eng- 
land before the oppressed colonies, in righteous defi- 
ance, threw off their chains and declared themselves 
independent and free; and were distinguished as 
pious clergymen of the established religion, remark- 
able for their talents, eloquence, and a deep-settled 
opposition to the Church of Kome. Colonel Claver- 
ing inherited from his progenitors many admirable 
qualities of mind and heart, and, as a necessary con- 
sequence, some of their principles, the most import- 
ant of which was to look on all religions, except his 
own, as corrupt and schismatical. 

His elegant and discriminating taste for improve- 
ments adorned without disturbing the grandeur of 
the old family mansion, and rendered his plantation 
a perfect Eden. The only modern addition to the 
house was a spacious portico in front, into which a 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


5 


large glass door opened from the library. Its roof 
was supported by eight marble pillars, about which 
innumerable vines were so interwoven, one with 
another, that they formed an almost impenetrable 
screen from the sun, and a comfortable shelter from 
the sometimes chill air of the river. The house 
itself — with its wide hall and long corridors, its 
suite of spacious drawing-rooms and sleeping apart- 
ments, its large dining-parlor, which in olden time 
was opened only on grand occasions, and library — 
was all furnished in a style sufficiently modern to 
correspond with the age, and yet so regulated as to 
present an admirable harmony with its ancient con- 
struction. In the rear of and skirting the orna- 
mented portion of the ground, stood in majestic 
grandeur a forest or grove of gigantic oaks, forming 
a somewhat sombre though beautiful relief to the 
light and elegance of the foreground. 

Throughout this splendid grove, vistas had been 
opened which revealed the most charming views of 
the broad bright river and its picturesque shores, 
of the old mansion and its gray moss-grown walls, of 
the broad undulating lands, and distant mountains 
wffiose peaks seemed blending with the sky. Amidst 
the shaded solitudes the hand of taste had erected 
several fountains, wffiich, supplied from an exhaust- 
less spring, made low, perpetual melodies in the 
wide marble reservoirs, Vvhich the flashing waters 
overflowed, and, like truant children at play, ran 
laughing and rippling down through the moss and 


6 


THE STUDENT OF 


wild flowers towards the river ; while the mocking- 
birds, from their sheltered nests, flooded the air with 
music so rich and triumphantly sweet, that the very 
winds seemed to pause at intervals to listen. 

The lawn sloped in gentle declivities to the white 
sands of the Rappahannock, and presented in its 
finely arranged clusters of ornamental and shade 
trees, its innumerable flowering shrubs, and grace- 
ful statues, a rich and beautiful scene. On a cliff 
which almost overhung the river, stood a light Chi- 
nese summer-house, filled with the rarest exotics, 
which was shaded by an old beech-tree — so old 
that more than one legend was told of it — from 
whose hoary branches, now bending earthward, 
swept in long festoons the yellow jasmine and 
coral woodbine. 

It was night, and the full, unclouded moon was 
shedding its radiance over earth and sky ; the waves 
of the river shone with a restless joy, and the dark 
green foliage and trembling vines made long shad- 
ows and fantastic traceries on the silent sward, as 
the moonlight, like the billows of a phantom sea, 
dashed its noiseless spray upon them. Every part 
of the old gray mansion was wrapped in shade, 
except the portico, and as the fresh wind, in fitful 
numbers, stole gently up and parted the tangled 
vines as tenderly as a mother would part the sunny 
curls from the brow of a slumbering child, the radi- 
ance gushed through the trembling leaves and re- 
posed with tremulous motion on the marble floor. 


BLENHEIM FOEEST. 


7 


giving to that shaded spot, where white Provence 
roses hung like pendant pearls, a tranquil and sacred 
aspect which it is impossible to describe. By the 
mellowed moonlight, and the glowing hues from 
a stained lamp that hung from the arched roof^ a 
table was discernible, covered with elegantly bound 
books and a few old musty volumes, which told 
that the student who haunted it could fathom the 
depths of more solid lore, as well as appreciate 
the beauties and gems of light and elegant litera- 
ture. There, too, were writing implements and 
closely-written manuscripts, which appeared to have 
been thrust away in a fit of haste or impatience. 
As the winds swept past, a harp, until now unseen, 
responded to its whisper in accents of wild though 
most exquisite melody, startling from deep reverie 
a young man who was reclining with half-closed 
eyes on a couch in the most sheltered corner of the 
portico. 

Pshaw ! I thought it was Isadora ! How keenly 
vibrates the slightest interruption on thoughts like 
mine. Even the music of yon harp, which most 
persons would fancy was touched by the finger of 
some wandering spirit, presents no angelic imagina- 
tions to my poor brain.” 

Thus exclaimed Louis — the only child and heir 
to the untarnished name and immense estates of 
Col. Clavering. He had in his boyhood been des- 
tined for the bar, but, after a few years spent at old 
William and Mary’s, all the variations of his truly 


8 


THE STUDENT OF 


gifted mind seemed blending with sure and certain 
earnestness to a religious and meditative life. This 
predilection was encouraged more by the example 

than the advice of the Eev. Professor L and 

D». Atwood, both inmates of the college, and in- 
structors to large classes of tlicology, philosophy, 
and ancient history. He imagined he saw in their 
lives an exemplilication of the highest requisitions 
of religion, to which their gentlemanly and digni- 
fied demeanor added a graceful charm. After some 
opposition from his father, who was greatly disap- 
pointed in his legal views, he commenced a course 
of reading and study which was prescribed by the 

amiable Bishop M of Virginia. Nothing could 

surpass the heartfelt pleasure of his two venerable 
friends, who in every way smoothed the difficulties 
of his arduous pursuits, and conversed frequently 
and familiarly with him on the intricacies of theo- 
logical study, aiding him by the explanation and 
the comparison of original texts, for he was not yet 
proficient enough in Hebrew and Greek to accom- 
plish this without assistance. Everything was glid- 
ing on smoothly and pleasantly. The Colonel and 
Mrs. Clavering saw their son rapidly approaching 
manhood, pious, talented, elegant in manners, and 
accomplished; and now, what more on earth could 
they wish for ? The Colonel was proud of his ac- 
quirements, and, in sociable and confidential dis- 
course with his lady, congratulated himself and her 
on the prospect in future of seeing their beloved son 


BLENHEIM FOBEST. 


9 


occupying tlie liigliest dignity in tlie cliurch. But a 
change was coming over the spirit of the young 
man’s dream/’ and in, secret his heart was troubled 
as he saw certain immaculate visions melting away, 
like snow under the influence of the sun. The 
J csuits in disguise at Oxford had given to the world 
some of their wonderful discoveries, and already the 
Anglican church had felt the shock of coming throes 
in their strange and startling doctrines. Consub- 
stantiation and transubstantiation had their able 
advocates, and auricular confession, purgatory, vene- 
ration for the Blessed Mother of God, intercession 
of saints, and ancient ceremonies, were the theme of 
the Tracts for the Times,” and other publications ; 
and so exactly were they found to correspond with 
the doctrines of the early Christians, who believed 
and advocated them, that a spirit of keen inquiry 
was soon abroad, and not a few were found who 
received with joy even the shadow of that faith 
from whose teaching their fathers had departed, and 
from which they had derived the scanty substance 
of their own religion. 

Clavering read with pain and distrust, and as he 
compared, day after day, with earnest scrutiny, the 
origin of the church of England with the divine 
origin of that faith to which the Spirit of truth had 
been promised forever, he grew more and more dis- 
satisfied with the result of his ecclesiastical studies. 
He began to discover with the Tractarians that a 
j)ure religion must conform in ail its sacramental 


10 


THE STUDENT OF 


institutions, as well as in its system of polity, with 
the rule of faith laid down by Christ Himself, to be 
worthy of its divine and Vernal Founder. He 
scanned with discerning eye the apostolic age, when 
those who preserved the Holy Scriptures amid per- 
secution and death, transmitted them with many 
sacred and discreet lessons to after ages ; wdien men 
received also and held fast ^Hhe unwritten traditions 
of the apostles,” and acknowledged but one priest- 
hood under one visible head. When the fruits of 
this blessed unity were seen in the virtues of innu- 
merable saints, in the conversion of heathen nations, 
in the blood of martyrs, it was witnessed also in the 
blessings of civilization which were everywhere 
diffused when Europe had been overrun with bar- 
barous tribes ; then it was that the kindling of new 
and brilliant lights in the fane of ecclesiastical learn- 
ing spread far and near the beams of knowledge; 
then, too, collegiate institutions and seminaries, 
without number, where holy men and angelic 
doctors led the ductile mind of youth into the paths 
of humility, learning, and religion, were founded 
and flourished under its benign influence! It is 
very true that the historians, ancient and modern, 
with whom the young student was familiar, bore 
partial and one-sided testimonies; but they w^ere 
unable to conceal the plain truths which they af- 
fected to condemn, attributing to the influence of 
the reformation the golden fruits of the ages of 
faith, and treating with contemptuous scorn the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


11 


very religion whose sacred dogmas had been traves- 
tied by the reformers for unholy ends. The truth- 
seeking and chivalrous mind of Clavering penetrated 
all this grossness, and while he raised his eyes in 
admiration of the primitive ages, which were essen- 
tially Catholic, he turned with burning cheek to 
that era which marked the establishment of the 
Anglican church, when Henry YIII. shook off, with 
his allegiance to Home, his virtue and honor, and, 
wrapping himself in a mantle stained with the vilest 
crimes, stood arrogantly forth, claiming the high 
prerogative of being the head of a new national 
religion ! And how rendered national ? By divine 
and heavenly influences? Hundreds of martyrs 
who suffered death under the despotic tyranny of 
himself and his immediate successors, rather than 
concede one iota of their ancient and beloved faith 
to the strange heresy, can answer ! So also can the 
ancient penal codes of England, and the recorded 
deeds of unprincipled ministers — a rapacious aris- 
tocracy, and a servile parliament.’^ Such were the 
‘instruments by which England was delivered from 
the yoke of Home — a work begun by Henry, the 
murderer of his wives, and continued and concluded 
by Somerset, the murderer of his brother, and Eliza- 
beth, the murderer of her guest.” * He saw the 
land which once smiled with peace and hospitality 
and exulted in the glory of her monuments under the 
sacred influence of the faith of Home, laid waste and 


^ Edinburg Review. 


12 


THE STUDENT OF 


desolate, as the storm of the reformation died away, 
leaving behind, in its whirlwind path, wrecks, ruins, 
and imprints of sacrilegious deeds! Then, amidst 
all these thoughts which so occupied the mind of 
Clavering, came the Tracts for the Times,” with 
sentiments endorsed by the most talented and pious 
divines in England, and tending with specious steps 
towards a reunion with Rome ; and, as if to destroy 
all the lingering admiration he felt for the fabric of 
his religion, he found one day on an obscure shelf, 
covered with cobwebs and dust, a copy of Cobbett’s 
coarse, though quaint and truth-telling History of 
the Reformation ! 

Alas ! ” exelaimed the young student to his 
friend. Dr. Atwood, to whom he had related his 
difficulties ; it is useless to argue the point any 
longer. We claim for our religion a divine origin I 
Behold the founders of our faith ! We claim for it 
gifts by which Christ Himself has declared that His 
Church shall be known ; and we see them rejected 
and sometimes ridiculed as ^ rags of popery I ’ Pro- 
fessor L tells me to rest satisfied that confession 

and priestly absolution are still believed and prac- 
tised by the Church ; you say that they are not 
necessary, and that the general confession and abso- 
lution, pronounced once a week in our churches, are 
a strict fulfilment of the injunction and dispensation 
which give to the ordained the power of ^ binding 
and loosing the consciences ’ of men. I am lost in 
a maze of conjecture and doubt I ” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


13 


Which this vulgar and abusive book/’ said 
Dr. Atwood, sharply, laying his hand on Cobbett’s 
Deformation, ‘^has in no wise tended to soothe. 
Let me advise you, Louis, to cast all these idle 
and prejudicial notions to the wind, and pray for 
guidance and grace from on high. Believe me 
that these mistaken men who are thus rending the 
^seamless garment of Christ’ with their high-handed 
heresies and popish doctrines, will after a while 
come to their proper senses, and recant all their 
vain opinions, making thereby our holy religion 
still more effulgent by the withdrawal of their now 
troublesome mysticisms. Dreadful — dreadful in- 
deed,” added the doctor, earnestly, ^^is this effort 
to bring us again under the yoke of an Antichrist: 
the proud arrogance, the overweening priestcraft, the 
ignorance and gloom of the dark ages ! ” 

^^Kow, by my honor,” exclaimed Clavering, ^^this 
is too much ! Excuse me, my respected friend, but 
to my truth-seeking eyes those very ages which have 
been ^ stigmatized as dark and barbarous,’ appear to 
me, even from the unwilling facts elicited from pre- 
judiced history, to have been in ^strict conformity 
to their divine model ; ’ they were at the same time 
poor and rich, humble and sublime, below a certain 
standard of physical improvement, yet marvellous 
in the manifestation of the power and majesty of 
God — ^ All humility was comprised in their majesty 
and all majesty in their humility.’ Men who then 
existed passed on, as if in solemn procession, en- 


14 


THE STUDENT OF 


oouraging each other to persevere in following the 
royal road of the cross. O that I had then lived! 
Then might my humble footsteps have joined this 
band of holy pilgrims, and walked unheeding 
through a world which is not our home; through 
a world which always stood aloof when it did not 
persecute, and scowled on them with disdain and 
hatred ; in the blessed hope of being able to reach 
the portals of that celestial city, through whose 
gates had passed the King of glory, and which 
were again opened for His lowly followers/ * 

My dear sir/^ said Dr. Atwood to the enthusi- 
astic young man, ^^you can do all this, methinks, 
without making a transmigration of your soul to 
the dark ages ! 

Dark ages I again interrupted Clavering ! 
rather say, doctor, ages of humility, or of what 
the divine sentence terms poverty of spirit, in pub- 
lic and private life, in the institutions of states, in 
philosophy, in education ; no one can deny this 
who has regard to the facts of history. But, as 
you say, I can imbibe the spirit of those ages 
without the aid of transmigration, and, heaven 
helping me, I will. I shall start to-morrow,^^ he 
said abruptly, ‘^for Blenheim Forest.’’ 

^^Do, my dear Louis, do,” replied Dr. Atwood 
earnestly; ^^you have been too much of late among 
books and unprofitable discussions. The quiet shades 
of Blenheim Forest will administer soothing reflec- 


^ Digby’s Ages of Faith. 


BLENHElxM FOREST. 


15 


tions to your disordered mind, and you will no doubt 
soon recover the equilibrium you have lost.” 

“ Pshaw I ” said Clavering, as the good doctor 
left the room ; “ wordy sentences without ideas ! ” 

The truth is, he was vexed and excited by the 
calm and self-sufficient tone of the doctor’s lan- 
guage, but it was only a momentary departure from 
the placidity of his usually gentle and quiet soul, 
and the next instant he was filled with regret and 
sorrow at having spoken too warmly to the friend 
he loved, but even while he felt thus repentant he 
could not recall a truth he had uttered, for it was 
the result of calm, unprejudiced, and deliberate 
examination. 


16 


THE STUDENT OE 


CHAPTEE II. 

BLENHEIM FOREST AND ITS INMATES. 

Mrs. Clavering was surprised at her son’s un- 
expected return ; but as he complained of over much 
study, and looked really ill, both the colonel and 
herself were delighted that he had thus prudently 
retired from college. But he was changed — there 
was a restless anxiety about him, and at times an 
excitability of manner utterly foreign to his happy 
and amiable temperament ; he courted solitude, and, 
in spite of his apology for returning home, was more 
than ever devoted to his studies and pen. The 
beautiful retreat in which we found him was his 
favorite haunt, and here his mother, who was anx- 
iously solicitous about his health, now sought him. 

Louis,” she said, as she entered from the library 
door and discovered him, ^^you make me unhappy, 
my child.” 

'^Dear mother,” he replied, rising and offering 
her a seat beside him, ^^how? What mean you? 
Surely you would not make a hot-house plant of me 
now ! ” 

^^No, my boy,” she said, smiling; ^^a little neces- 
sary caution does not involve such a misfortune as 
that, I imagine. Nor does it require the seven wise 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


17 


men of Greece to convince me that after a long 
day’s application to books, this is no place to fall 
asleep in, where the chill breeze from the water 
makes a strong current through. I already perceive 
the effects of your imprudence, in the unwholesome 
pallor of your countenance, and the sometimes fever- 
ish flush on your cheeks.” 

^^Imagination ! dearest and most beloved mother,” 
exclaimed young Clavering ; I never felt better in 
my life. Why, I have a fancy for sleeping here 
altogether. I think it would make me more hardy.” 

*^Nay, I will have no jesting, Louis; on this 
point my wishes must be your law. Remember 
you are the only child of your mother,” said Mrs. 
Clavering, smoothing back the hair from his flne 
forehead. ‘^But how have you spent the day in 
my absence, and where ? ” 

« Here.” 

«A11 day?” 

Yes, dear mother, here.” 

And Isadora?” 

Plere, here too, in this lovely spot that you your- 
self have adorned and taught me to love, and made 
a perpetual temptation to me. Grow not jealous of 
it, but come, dear mother, whenever the fancy suits 
you, and make me talk; heed not my selfish studies, 
but interrupt them as often as you please with your 
grateful voice and smiles. I am at your service, 
mother.” 

Or, rather, Louis,” said the lady, gravely, I 
2 


18 


THE STUDENT OP 


am at yours you would have it so, it seems. I 
wish, however, to speak with you seriously about 
those same studies.’’ 

I cry your mercy, mother ! One interdict at a 
time, I beseech you ! My studies ! ” he exclaimed. 

Yes, my dear; I know not what to make of the 
medley you have around you. Your manuscripts, 
too, contain strange sentiments to emanate from the 
pen of one professing the faith you do.” 

^^Do not my verses suit you, dear mother?” 
asked Clavering, endeavoring to evade her mean- 
ing. I know your judgment is correct, therefore 
tell me what is amiss in my little sketches. As to 
my theories, they are mere deductions, the conse- 
quences of an inventive brain. Heigh, ho ! ” 
^^Your criticisms, my son, on your classical 
studies I do not even pretend to understand, or 
your light compositions to condemn ; it is all well 
enough, I dare say. But, Louis, there is a more 
serious matter still, one which involves high and 
sacred principles. I cannot understand,” said Mrs. 
Clavering, drawing from her pocket a torn and 
blotted piece of paper, ^^how you can pen such 
sentiments as these: Mf I find this religion false, 
then none other can be true, and wo unto me, for 
infidelity must claim me as one of its most decided 
parti zans ; ’ then occur words that read thus — 
worldly stratagems, plausible sophistries.’ I found 
this scrap of paper this morning on the lawn, almost 
defaced by dew blots, and I can not feel sufficiently 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


19 


thankful that it was picked up by' me instead of 
your father. It is strange, my son, and I must hear 
from your own lips the meaning of this infidelity.’^ 

^‘Ah! mother,” said he, quite pale and serious, 
you have touched the chord ! Infidel ! Oh ! no, 
God lives forever ! and I trust yet to find a religion 
— a faith one and indivisible, worthy of a divine 
origin, on which I may repose my fainting hopes 
securely ! ” 

Mrs. Clavering was touched by his softened and 
earnest manner, but answered ; 

You rave, Louis ! ” 

^^I reason, mother; I am quite calm, and have 
thought long and seriously on this subject.” 

‘^Whence have you gleaned these notions, my 
child? Have you studied the Bible among other 
things that have engrossed you ? ” 

^^Yes, mother, studied, pored over it, if you 
will ; and in its sacred pages have traced out an 
authority for all the various and conflicting doctrines 
which claim the Bible as their origin. And yet 
those sectaries who claim it as an infallible guide, 
rejecting tradition, I have seen, even in my day, 
separate, and as they do so, multiply new opinions 
and found new religions diametrically opposed to 
each other, still crying out with senseless clamor, 
^ We are right, for, lo ! the Bible is our guide.’ As 
if,” and he spoke with some bitterness, the God 
of truth and majesty would acknowledge such pre- 
varicating contradictions as emanating from Him. 


20 


THE STUDENT OP 


And in the blessed book, mother, which is thus the 
watchword of bickering sects, I have found, in beau- 
tiful and uninterrupted harmony, promise after pro- 
mise made by Christ to the Church which He Him- 
self established ; and that He gave as an earnest of 
their fulfilment, miraculous gifts to His disciples, 
which have always been witnessed among them ; and 
also His holy and infallible Spirit to guide them 
until the ^ consummation of time/ How often also 
from the sacred page do I find our Lord inculcating 
lessons of unity among His followers, declaring that 
a ^ house divided against itself must fall ! ^ That this 
unity exists, and that there is, as the gospel declares, 
but one God, one faith, one baptism, I cannot doubt. 
Hitherto I have not found it, or seen more than the 
fleeting shadow of it; and, if it exists not in the 
Roman Catholic Church, I must give up Christianity 
in despair, and persuade my soul that all religion is 
a fantasy. That this faith does exist, I truly be- 
lieve,” he said earnestly, for the express word and 
promises of the God-man are my assurance, and that 
it is guided by the Holy Ghost, whose authority will 
shield its followers from those opposing winds of 
doctrine which toss mankind about in various cur- 
rents, all as diametrically opposite to each other as 
is darkness to light. Yet these different systems all 
point with self-righteous hands to the Bible, and 
claim it as the foundation of their different creeds. 
Heaven help the world ! ” 

Catholic would say,” said Mrs. Clavering 


BLENHEIM FOEEST. 


21 


timidly, that this comes from the rejection of tra- 
dition.” 

Exactly,” answered her son, unheeding in his 
earnest pursuit of the subject the strange remark, 
strange as coming from her, ‘^exactly so. They 
reject tradition as fables, little reflecting that to this 
source they are indebted for the authenticity of the 
holy writings. Pshaw ! Dear mother,” he said, 
after a pause of some minutes, in a voice trembling 
with emotion, indeed, indeed, I know not whither 
to fly for consolation. Oh ! ” pressing his hand on 
his flushed brow, ‘^whither shall my wandering 
footsteps go ? Doubts and fears agonize my mind ; 
angel guardians, come to rescue, and guide me out 
of the mazes of this labyrinth ! ” 

Mrs. Clavering, in drawing her •watch from her 
bosom, unconsciously displayed a small golden cross 
attached to a flnely wrought chain about her neck. 
The moonlight fell directly on it, and it stood out 
in beautiful and bold relief against the folds of her 
dark dress, like a star of peace, or the angel spirit 
which he had evoked, coming thus unexpectedly to 
direct his way and whisper of rest and consolation. 

Mother, mother I ” he exclaimed, starting for- 
ward, what means this ? What means this visible 
sign of a Church which I thought my father and 
yourself detested, hidden and treasured in your 
bosom, like a sacred memorial?” 

It was my mother’s, Louis,” said Mrs. Claver- 
ing, confused, and thrusting it hastily back to its 


22 


THE STUDENT OF 


hiding place ; I wear it merely as a souvenir of 
days gone and forever/^ 

‘^And a most proper souvenir for a Christian’s 
breast it is, emblem of salvation, teacher of humility ! 
Eight glad am I, dear mother, that you wear it.” 

Mrs. Clavering sighed deeply, and said : 

My mother, my good mother was a Catholic, 
and ” 

And you, my dearest mother,” asked Clavering 
anxiously, were you also a Catholic ? ” 

^^Some other time, my child, some other time you 
will know all^see, here comes Isadora — come, my 
dear,” said Mrs. Clavering to her, ^^come, aid me to 
cheer away the sadness of this gloomy knight of the 
books ! ” 

Ah ! my dear aunt,” replied the young lady in 
a playful tone, a lifetime of prosperity makes one 
wilful. Louis must encounter a few trials — he must 
see a few clouds, or the sunshine and books together 
will dazzle him, until his brain is fairly turned.” 

‘^A^es, fair lady,” answered the young man, 
smiling, almost turned; but come, Isadora, play 
for me some wild, sad old tune, and sit just here 
where the moonbeams will fall on you — now — 
just so.” A moment after he plucked two or three 
white Provence roses, and laid them gently on her 
head. She turned to look in his face, while a smile 
of joy and pleasure irradiated her beautiful features: 
but Clavering had already forgotten the tribute of 
admiration he had offered, and was gazing with 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


23 


abstracted eye on the shining river. After playing 
a few touching airs, she arose gently and gathered 
up the roses which had fallen from her head, and 
placing them on her bosom, left the portico. 

^^Gone!’^ said Clavering, starting as the library 
door closed with a slight noise. ^‘Dear Isadora, 
how rude, how unkind has been my conduct — 
nay, how surly ! but to-morrow I will make it 
up to her by neglecting my books and thoughts, 
at least for one day — thoughts,’^ he said, ‘^yes, 
thoughts which, indefinite and unformed as they 
are, and without system, will, I hope, yet lead 
me into the Church of God — but how? — how? 
Thank God,’^ exclaimed young Clavering, as if a 
sudden inspiration had dawned on his soul, ^Ghe 
means of impartial inquiry are open to me! I just 
now remember to have heard an old friend and 
class-mate of mine, who is half Catholic, speak 
often and in the highest terms of a certain Father 
Francis Aylmer, a resident of Baltimore. To him 
I wdll immediately write and explain my perplexi- 
ties, and beg the favor of him to send me forthwith 
books explanatory of the Catholic faith.” 

Louis, my dear Louis,” said Mrs. Clavering, 
who had been sitting wrapped in profound thought, 
be not to hasty — ah I recollect your father and 
his violent prejudices.” 

But he heard her not, and was rapidly penning a 
letter, which was soon finished and sealed. 

There, mother,” he said, as he observed her 


24 


THE STUDENT OF 


regarding him with a pained and anxious expres- 
sion; “this letter will either bring to your child 
messengers of peace and rest, or tokens that my last 
days will be despairing and God-forsaken. I have 
enclosed a certain sum in this letter, and to-morrow 
with my own hands will I consign it to the post.’’ 

A dim foreboding of ill filled Mrs. Clavering’s 
heart, while her son, counting all things as loss in 
his eager search after truth, looked only towards 
its accomplishment. The good-night words were 
spoken, and the mutual good-night kiss given with 
more than usual tenderness, when the mother and 
son separated until the following day. 


BI.ENHEIM FOREST, 


2ii 


CHAPTER III. 

ISADORA. 

Isadora Seymour was a distant relation of Col. 
Clavering, and on the decease of her parents she had 
been placed with a large fortune under his guardian- 
ship. It was generally believed, among the neigh- 
boring gentry that some arrangement had been made 
relative to a marriage between the colonel’s son and 
ward ; and as this rumor was never directly con- 
tradicted, but rather encouraged, it became quite a 
settled thing to say that they were positively be- 
trothed. Isadora had always been accustomed to 
regard her young relative as a being of a higher 
order than herself ; in fact, his manly form, his fine 
intellect, his highly poetic and religious tempera- 
ment, imparted a kind of moral sublimity to his 
character, which to her admiring heart made him 
an idol worthy of her unbounded devotion. Isa- 
dora was herself faultlessly beautiful, and while 
nature had been lavish of external charms, it had 
also endowed her with every quality which could 
adorn the character, and elevate the heart. There 
was a peculiar beauty in the serenity of her calm 
and polished brow, beneath which her large hazel 
eyes, shaded softly by the dark fringes of their 


26 


THE STUDENT OF 


blue-veined lids, gave a truthful and subdued ex- 
pression to the gentle and innocent thoughts of her 
pure mind. The perfect regularity of her features, 
and the exact proportions of her graceful form, 
would alone have commanded admiration, but to 
these were added piety and charity, two virtues 
wliich would not fail to add a new lustre to her 
character. 

In the salons of wealth, and in the hut of the 
poverty-stricken — by the bed-side of the afflicted 
or dying, or in the happy social circle, Isadora, by 
her active kindness, her unassuming and amiable 
manner, won the affections of many and the esteem 
of all. Isadora had faults, for, alas ! she was but 
a member of the great human family of which we 
ourselves form a part, whose only heritage is sin 
and death ; but those faults were so subdued by the 
highest principles of virtue and piety that it is far 
better to draw the veil of charity over them, and 
contemplate only those noble and excellent quali- 
ties wdiich almost redeemed them, and made her an 
edifying example to all. 

Isadora,^^ said Col. Clavering, taking her by 
the hand the next morning, as she was passing in 
to the breakfast room, ^^can you spare me a few 
moments after breakfast in the library. I have 
some grave matters to talk to you about.’^ 

Certainly, uncle,” she replied, and you will ' 
find more wisdom in me, perhaps, than you expect. 
You know Louis often forgets himself, and reads 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


27 


and thinks aloud, and by this means I have become 
quite learned.’’ 

We shall se,e, lady philosopher,” said the colonel, 
laughing; meanwhile our muffins will be cold, 
unless we hurry on. I caught a glimpse of our 
lady Bountiful just now, looking rather impatient 
as she stood at the head of the table.” 

They entered the library after breakfast, and Col. 
Clavering seated himself in his study-chair, while 
Isadora drew a tabouret from a recess, and throwing 
herself at his feet, leaned on his knee in the most 
childlike manner, and looking confidingly in his 
face, waited with some impatience for him to begin 
the conference; but the dignified and elegant old 
man appeared confused, and at a loss for the first 
time in his life. 

“ My dear,” he said at last, when I tell you that 
I have the happiness of a life depending on certain 
matters which you can decide, I hope you will not 
think my proposition strange or impertinent.” 

^^Dear uncle,” she replied, ‘^you alarm me; but 
speak ; certainly, as far as I can, I will give you 
any necessary information you require.” 

Thank you, Isadora — thank you, my dear; it 
is in your power to give me much, and I will 
to the point at once. You have, without doubt, 
observed how much more than formerly Louis 
secludes himself from society, how reserved his 
manners are gradually becoming, and how much 
more feeble his health is. There must be some 


28 


THE STUDENT OF 


secret cause for this. Can you give me any clue 
whereby I may find the root of this evil, which is 
thus undermining his tranquillity and health.’^ 

I cannot, indeed, sir,^^ said Isadora, who had 
become very pale. “ My cousin devotes too much 
time, perhaps, to his books.’’ 

The colonel appeared lost in thought some min- 
utes ; at last, looking Isadora full in the face, he 
said : 

Do you think his affections are compromised in 
this matter ? Tell me, Isadora.” 

Indeed — indeed, sir, I know not ! I know less 
of Clavering than any one else on earth.” 

Colonel Clavering took her hand in his, and 
pressing it, said earnestly : 

^^My dear child, you have doubtless heard the 
rumor concerning an engagement between Louis and 
yourself ; well, what I wish to ascertain is this : has 
my son ever manifested for you any further senti- 
ments than those of a fraternal attention ? ” 

Never, sir,” said the agitated girl in a low voice, 
never ! ” 

^‘Tell me, dear Isadora, and, believe me, what- 
ever may pass between us now will be silent and 
sacred as the grave; tell me if Louis, my son, were 
to offer you his heart and hand, could you return 
his affection? Would you consent to be his — ^to pass 
along through life together, cheering his fainting 
spirit, and rousing him from those dreamy studies 
and speculative thoughts in which he is so wrapped ? 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


29 


Speak, Isadora — alas ! have I hoped in vain ? Is 
thus the dearest hope of my age to be crushed, as it 
were, in a breath ? ” 

Sir ! sir ! ’’ exclaimed Isadora, turning her white 
face to his, you pain me. I beg you cease. Claver- 
ing has never dreamed of me j indeed, uncle, he has 
not ! ” 

^^But how know you this, Isadora? /have reason 
for saying that he is devotedly attached to you,’’ said 
the Colonel — and so he believed. 

‘^Oh heaven! what is this I hear?” exclaimed 
Isadora ; uncle, uncle I as a man of honor, I com- 
mand you to deceive me not in this matter.” 

^^Fear me not, Isadora,” said the Colonel proudly; 
I have reasons.for believing what I say. Could you 
respond to the sentiment? — this is all I wish to know. 
Answer me candidly, my child, and quickly, for I see 
Louis coming towards the portico.” 

Uncle,” she said, rising calmly — but her face 
wore the hue of death, and her footsteps faltered — 
you have discovered my secret. Betray me not.” 

The door opened, and Clavering entered in time 
to receive her, as agitated by this painful interview 
and overcome by its disclosure, she fell fainting to 
the floor. 

“What has happened, Isadora? Father, what 
means — 

But the Colonel, looking on this as a special inter- 
ference of Providence in his favor, had hurried out 
to seek his lady, and send in necessary assistance. 


30 


THE STUDENT OF 


hoping that in the meantime Isadora might recover, 
and Clavering, in the excitement of this rather ro- 
mantic incident, express sentiments corresponding 
with hers. 

Angelic face ! whispered the student ; would 
that I could shield it from storms and tears forever? 
would that I could insure thee some faithful heart to 
lean on, which would hide thee from the rude blasts 
of coming realities ! Isadora — Isadora- — speak to 
your brother, your friend ! 

The suspension of life’s faculties was now passing 
away, and she soon opened her eyes languidly, and 
found her cousin kneeling beside her with an expres- 
sion of great anxiety depicted in his countenance. 
With a burning blush rapidly mantling her pale 
face, she raised herself with an effort, and begged 
him to leave her and request his mother to come 
to her assistance. Mrs. Clavering, however, in 
obedience to the Colonel’s summons, now entered 
the library, and putting her arm around the deli- 
cate form of Isadora, wisely forbearing to question 
her, almost bore her to her apartment. 

Some days had elapsed, and Clavering, uncon- 
scious of the revelation made by his father to Isa- 
dora, paid her the most assiduous attentions. He 
saw that something distressed her; he knew that 
she had been ill; and when he thought of the 
many times she had sacrificed her time and recrea- 
tions to read to him or listen to his favorite authors, 
to play and sing for him in their favorite retreat, to 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


31 


exert all her innocent powers of pleasing to cheat 
him from his sometimes misanthropic gloom, all 
the chivalry inherent in his generous nature was 
called forth, and he determined to make some 
amends for past negligence, and try to repay some 
of her unwearied kindness. Isadora was happy. 
Often did they wander by the moonlit river, or, 
seated in some shaded recess on its banks, talk of 
all the bright and beautiful things of earth ; he 
pouring forth the riches of his cultivated mind, she 
listening as if to an inspired oracle. Among her 
flowers and birds, over her drawing and music, he 
was by her side, and his whole deportment seemed 
to her a tacit declaration of what his father had told 
her. 


32 


THE STUDENT OF 


CHAPTEE IV. 

THE CLOSET AND ITS CONTENTS. 

Colonel Clavering noticed the change in the 
conduct of his son, and was almost undignified in 
the expressions of joy, which occasionally found vent 
in certain confidential hints to him and knowing 
glances at Isadora, who, fully conscious of their 
import, could only reply with eloquent blushes and 
downcast eyes. He fancied that matters were now 
progressing, with auspicious and delightful certainty, 
to the consummation of his wishes, and so sanguine 
was the old gentleman as to their final result, that 
he had drawn up documents and plans relative to 
marriage settlements, and large expenditures for 
bridal presents, and costly equipages. These papers 
were signed, sealed, and ready to be placed in his 
lawyer’s hands the very day when his son should 
inform him of the conclusion of this, to him unnec- 
essarily long and tedious courtship. Clavering, 
although much preoccupied with his polemical 
difficulties, could not affect to misunderstand his 
father’s wishes, or remain blind to the conscious 
blushes of Isadora; and when he thought of the 
consequences which might result to her delicate and 
shrinking nature, from a misunderstanding of his 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


33 


sentiments toward her, he was undecided how to act, 
and perplexed with the most painful misgivings. 
His attachment did not extend beyond a generous 
appreciation of her almost faultless nature, and, 
independent of this, there was a reserved and secret 
vow, known only to himself and heaven, which he 
had determined to make, if he found that peace and 
security in the Catholic religion for which he 
ardently and devoutly prayed, and which would 
have prevented his giving a secondary thought to 
matrimonial projects, even if his chivalry and high 
sense of honor had, under other circumstances, dic- 
tated it. In this painful position he scarcely knew 
what course to pursue ! He could not, without an 
apparent assumption of gross vanity, have voluntarily 
schooled his manner to a cold civility towards Isadora, 
and if he continued the attentions which were really 
dictated by his fraternal affection, the error might 
become incurable; so he determined to preserve a 
frank and kind demeanor, and the most polite man- 
ner towards her, in all the necessary little attentions 
which he might be called upon to show her ! The 
colonel had gone to Fredericksburg on urgent busi- 
ness, to dispose of some valuable property which he 
wished to get rid of on account of its locality, or 
he would in his almost childlike impatience, have 
brought matters to a rapid and decisive crisis. 
Clavering dreaded this anticipated interference with 
a pang which he was careful not to acknowledge, for 
he well knew the stern and unbending nature of his 
3 


34 


THE STUDENT OF 


father. Notwithstanding liis systematic resolutions, 
his manners, unconsciously to himself, assumed a 
shade of reserve, and gradually, very gradually, he 
again almost forsook the social family reunions, and 
devoted himself exclusively to his books and pen. 
Isadora, with woman’s unfailing tact, soon discov- 
ered the change, and, although it fell over the sunny 
portals of her heart like bars of ice, she displayed no 
flashes of unwomanly resentment, or airs of deflance, 
but her face became paler, her step was more quiet, 
and, perhaps, her mien was a degree more proud and 
stately than before ; but this was all ; her place was 
never vacant in their little circle, and her voice was 
still heard amidst the happy words of those who 
gathered beneath the roof tree as her aunt’s guests. 
There was the same quiet smile, though shorn of its 
beams, still nestling in the dimples of her cheeks, 
and the fever at her heart, so absorbing, so intense, 
withered the blushes that might have suffused them, 
when Clavering, rousing at intervals from his selfish 
studies, extended kind attentions towards her, and, 
forgetful of the past, uttered gentle and kindly 
words ! 

Mother,” exclaimed Clavering one morning, 
entering her apartment with a flushed and excited 
countenance, here is a letter which I have this 
moment received from a Catholic clergyman of Bal- 
timore, which tells me that my books will be here 
to-morrow. Listen now, he writes thus : ^ If, after 
a candid investigation of the doctrines of our faith. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


35 


you should still feel undetermined, I earnestly hope 
that you will come without delay to Baltimore, and 
see the practical illustrations of it among a numerous 
and exemplary body of Christians, ere you give up 
the important subject.^ 

Oh ! my dear Louis,’^ cried Mrs. Clavering, 
agitated, you know not into what an abyss you are 
falling ! I do not refer to this faith after which you 
so earnestly run, but your father ! Oh heavens ! try 
if possible, and rest satisfied with the doctrines of the 
church in which his family have all lived and died.’^ 

Mother, mother,’^ he answered in a deprecat- 
ing tone, raising his hand with impressive gesture, 
would you have me yield up, for earthly motives, 
the work of my eternal salvation? No, I cannot 
believe it.’^ 

But, my son, try and work out your salvation 
without flying to the Eoman Catholic Church — a 
church detested by your father with a settled and 
determined hatred ! 

Never, mother! Light has dawned upon me, 
and I should be unworthy of heaven’s grace, did I 
now close my eyes to it.” 

Alas ! ” said Mrs. Clavering, while tears streamed 
down her cheeks, is not this some fantasy, conjured 
up by the arch tempter, to cheat you with mad 
speculations ? ” 

Do you recollect, my mother — do you recollect 
a small golden crucifix which, some few weeks ago, 
I saw hanging on your bosom ? ” 


36 


THE STUDENT OF 


^‘Oh, heavens! do you not fear?” interrupted 
his mother, pale and anxious. 

^^Nay, nay, my mother; the writhing and ago- 
nized form of the expiring God-man, though repre- 
sented in senseless metal, is not calculated, methinks, 
to awaken mad speculations in the heart of man ! 
Something whispers me that this beacon will guide 
me right at last ! ” 

^^My dear,” said Mrs. Clavering, ^^you forget 
that all Protestant Christians found their hopes on 
the cross of Christ I ” 

Aye, mother 1 but who among them cherishes it 
as the visible mark or sign of those hopes ? None ; 
unequivocally none, if you except a few Episcopa- 
lians. By all others it is rejected, and sneered at as 
savoring too much of popery ; they exclude it with 
jealous care from their churches and ceremonies! 
But among those same abused papists I find it prized 
as a sign above all others, marking every rite with 
its sacred impress ; from the brow of the wailing 
infant to the last agony of decaying nature, it stands 
a perpetual remembrance of Him who suffered for 
our transgressions. The time is past when I placed 
implicit faith in the truthfulness of those histories 
in which the ancient faith is so misrepresented ; I 
find that they have, like an angry wind, swept away 
the chaff from its granaries, and left the ripe fruits 
behind ! ” 

Ah ! ” cried Mrs. Clavering, clasping her hands, 
‘‘ thy retribution, oh heaven ! is at last gathering 
around my faithless and erring heart.” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


37 


Eetribution, mother ? asked Clavering, aston- 
ished ; what means this ? ’’ 

“Ah, my child, you know not! but it may yet 
open for me the portals of heaven — leave me, leave 
me, my son — but return this evening, ere you retire 
to rest.^^ 

Clavering left his mother with a heavy heart, and 
wondered at her painful and unusual emotion, until 
his mind became too much agitated for reading or 
repose ; so, snatching up a book, he left the house 
to seek among the thoughtful solitudes of the “ For- 
est a refuge from himself. 

At the appointed time Clavering was with his 
mother, who, with a veil wrapped around her, the 
golden crucifix exposed on her breast, and holding 
a lighted taper in her hand, told him in a quiet 
voice to follow her. Traces of tears were lying 
heavily on her cheeks, and her face wore an expres- 
sion of deep emotion. He walked by her side in 
silence, until they came to an apartment in a distant 
part of the house, which, being never used for ordi- 
nary purposes, had been converted into a receptacle 
for all the dilapidated heirlooms of the family. 
Within this was an inner room or closet, which 
had never, within the memory of Clavering, been 
opened, and he now recollected how he had, when 
a boy, literally worn his curiosity out in useless 
endeavors to see what it contained; but there was 
no crack or crevice through which he might pene- 
trate its mysteries. After carefully locking the outer 


38 


THE STUDENT OF 


door, Mrs. Clavering paused before the mysterious 
spot, and touching a spring, the door slid back into 
the wall, revealing to the astonished eyes of her son 
an oratory most exquisitely fitted up ; tapers blazed 
on its long-forsaken altar, lighting up with a star- 
like radiance every object on it. Mrs. Clavering 
knelt, and her son bowed beside her, gazing in 
wrapped and solemn admiration on the impressive 
scene. There hung, in finely wrought ivory, a rep- 
resentation of the death of Christ; here stood a 
statue of the holy Mother, bearing on her bosom the 
child Jesus.’^ Against the draperies of crimson 
and gold which hid its walls hung two or three 
superb paintings in oil — one an Ecce homo by Guido 
Ren6, a Magdalen and a Madonna, by some of the 
old masters. Vases of flowers decked with living 
beauty and pure incense the little shrine, and from 
their midst the holy face of Madonna seemed to 
smile in sweetness on her wandering lambs, inviting 
them, with irresistible persuasiveness, to repose their 
cares, their doubts and anguish at the feet of her 
divine Son. 

Mother,” said Clavering in a low voice, ex- 
plain this mystery ! Oh, my God ! can it be that 
this is one of the traits of that Church which I 
once looked on as abominable? This, this scene 
of holiness ! ” cried he, stretching forth his hands 
in uncontrollable emotion. ^^It is not yon finely 
carved ivory, or cunningly wrought marble, the 
breathing colors of those holy pictures, or the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


39 


blending of earth-born flowers and starry lights; 
it is not these that move me thus. Mother, think 
not that I rave, for, believe me, there are deeps 
stirred in my soul as if by the hand of an angel, 
which have never been breathed on before.” 

Mrs. Clavering wept in silence. 

What a scene,” exclaimed he, “ for holy con- 
templation ! What sweet drops distil from eternal 
founts, and fall gently on the troubled soul, while 
reposing in humility at the foot of the cross ! And 
thou, holy Mother, acknowledged of God as most 
‘ blessed among women,’ found worthy of bearing on 
thy breast His Son; clothed in thy flesh, cannot /, 
a sinful creature, gaze on thee whom the great and 
eternal God thus honored, with love, and prayer, 
and veneration, without robbing Him of a single 
beam of His ineffable glory? But, my beloved 
mother, you weep ; why is this — you weep ? ” 

^^Ah, Louis!” said Mrs. Clavering, rising, ^Hears 
cannot wash away the remorse of my heart ; I will 
— it is not yet too late — make all the restitution in 
my power.” 

She lifted the drapery from the front of the' altar, 
and disclosed underneath a shelf wx'll filled with 
books. The dust and damp of years had moulded 
their covers and mildewed their leaves, showing 
that they had long lain neglected and unopened. 
There were the ‘‘Lives of the Saints,” besides 
many books of Catholic devotion by a Francis of 
Sales, an Augustin, an ^ Kempis, and a few which 


40 


THE STUDENT OF 


bore on their title-page the names of the pious and 
venerable Challoner, and the gifted and powerful 
Bossuet. Among these, Clavering saw a little book 
which bore the unassuming title of ‘^The Papist 
Misrepresented and Represented/’ and, hoping to 
find within its pages some definite and conclusive 
proofs, selected it for his next day’s reading. 

Mrs. Clavering now extinguished the lights, and, 
instructing her son how to manage the spring which 
opened the door of the oratory, accompanied by him, 
left the room, carefully locking it and placing the 
key in his possession. Clavering’s whole counte- 
nance was flushed and irradiated. The hope of 
being safely guided into a haven of repose, the in- 
distinct view he had of the promised land, the inde- 
finable sensation of calm which pervaded his soul, 
gave him a sincere earnest of future consolations. 

^^My son,” said Mrs. Clavering, as she entered 
her apartment, ^^bear with patience, until to-mor- 
row, the mysteries of the last few hours; then I 
will tell you of some passages in my past life 
which will explain all. Give me an hour to-mor- 
row morning.” 

Thank you, mother,” said the young student; 
** thank you from my heart of hearts, for the reve- 
lations of this night. I will be true to my trust.” 

Then, while he pressed his lips to her hand with 
the tenderest affection, she replied : 

Yes, come, as soon as you please: meanwhile, go 
to rest with my blessing, and pray for your mother.” 


BLENHEIM FOKEST. 


41 


CHAPTEE Y. 

MBS. clavering’s SECRET. 

Mrs. Clavering was seated by a window which 
opened on the garden and presented a view of the 
noble river, on whose bosom the morning sun now 
beamed, transfusing with his glory each little ripple 
into waves of liquid light. Sweet odors rising from 
white-bosomed flowers and roseate blossoms, which 
still bore in their modest chalices treasures of dew, 
ascended upwards, and, as the wind in playful dalli- 
ance shook the branches of the sweet scented pride 
of China” and the broad-leaved Catawba trees, my- 
riads of lilac and snowy blossoms fell from their 
branches to the earth, making the air literally 
oppressive with their fragrance. It was a lovely 
scene spread out in fair panorama around her, and 
she had only to look from the window to behold, 
stretching away as far as eye could reach, their vast 
possessions. Broad, fair acres, and richly cultivated 
land, forests of timber and fields of weaving grain, 
miniature prairies of the cotton shrub, looking as if 
fleeces of snow had fallen among their dark-green 
leaves, were there. There also were her slaves, well 
clad and happy, chatting cheerfully, or singing in 
loud sonorous chorus as they plied the hoe or fol- 


42 


THE STUDENT OF 


lowed the plough in the cultivation of the fields. 
Yes, it was all hers, with the elegant mansion in 
which she resided, ail its well-chosen appurtenances 
of splendid furniture, massive silver and gold and 
jewels, obedient and attached vassals, a family who 
worshipped her, and, above all, a husband who still 
looked on the mother of his boy with proud and 
happy eyes, although time had spun white threads 
among her raven hair, and stolen from her face the 
delicate tints of youth. And last, though not least, 
among her possessions was that son who from his 
birth had been the garner spot of all their most 
cherished and blessed hopes. But with all, oh ! 
perverse human nature ! she was not happy, for her 
soul had long fretted and beat its wings in bondage. 
Mrs. Clavering was looking with some interest on 
the joy-inspiring scene, when a light tap at her door 
admonished her of the presence of her son. 

I have come, dearest mother,’’ he said tenderly, 
as you requested — perhaps too early ? ” 

No, my child,” she answered, kissing his pale 
forehead ; but what is this ? you are not well — if 
you feel ill, do not, I beg of you, conceal it from 
me.” In truth, his large beautiful eyes were heavy 
and languid ; but he smiled away the fears of that 
tender parent, and throwing himself on a couch near 
her, said : “ Now, my mother, if you will indulge me 
thus, and be kind enough, if the task is not too great, 
to gratify the curiosity you have so much excited, I 
am at your service.” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


43 


I have but little to say, Louis,” she answered, 
but that little comprises matters of some impor- 
tance to me. As you already know, my lineage is 
ancient and respectable; but that they were all 
Catholics, and numbered among them illustrious 
and holy men and saintly women, is a fact of 
which I believe you are ignorant. My father was 
the youngest son of a noble house, and at an early 
age made propositions of marriage to my mother, 
but in consequence of the great opposition from his 
family, who were staunch Protestants, and hers, 
who were devoted Catholics, a formal interdict was 
laid on a union which, had their religious senti- 
ments agreed, would have been highly gratifying to 
both parties. After the lapse of a few years, dur- 
ing which time many tears had been shed, much 
unnecessary misery experienced, harsh words and 
prohibitory sentences uttered, it ended, as all other 
affairs of the kind do, with the marriage of the 
refractory couple, who, with ample means afforded 
by my mother’s family and a good legacy be- 
queathed to my father by an aunt of his, emigrated 
to America, and, purchasing a rich plantation in 
Maryland, settled themselves happily on it. About 
this period the most intolerant acts characterized the 
legislative power of these provinces towards the 
Catholics, who, though persecuted and brow-beaten 
had talented and powerful advocates and followers, 
who, unwavering in tlieir faith and loyal in their 
sentiments, commanded the admiration and respect 


44 


THE STUDENT OF 


even of those who would have inflicted scourges and 
penalties on them. Among these my mother stood 
pre-eminent, and her blessed example, aided by the 
prayers and instructions of the apostolic and saintly 
Carroll,* induced my father to inquire into, and at 
last embrace the faith which so adorned the char- 
acter of his wife, and made great and illustrious by 
its divine influence the life and actions of the zeal- 
ous clergyman. In a beautiful and secluded spot, 
shaded by the surrounding forest trees, on their 
own land, my parents had a little chapel erected, in 
which sometimes the holy mysteries were celebrated. 
Ah, Louis ! well do I recollect that rude though 
beloved chapel ! Its altar of rough wood work, 
which were concealed by draperies of fine and costly 
embroidery, covered with flowers, and radiant lights 
which gleamed like stars among the rich and glow- 
ing tints of dew-gemmed blossoms, and the little 
niche, containing a small statue of ^ our Lady of the 
forest,’ to whom the chapel was dedicated, over 
which boughs and branches of the fadeless arbor 
vitae and shining holly were so entwined that they 
formed a perfect Gothic arch. Well do I remem- 
ber it all. Instead of a floor of costly marble, rare 
mosaics or polished oak, the rough boards were 
softly carpeted with tender blades of the green and 
odorous pine, over which the young girls and chil- 
dren on festival days strewed sweet-scented flowers, 
while they sang the Litany of our Lady and hung 

* Subsequently bishop and archbishop of Baltimore. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


45 


her shrine with festoons of lilies and the brightest 
wild flowers that grew in the forest. But why 
linger thus?” said Mrs. Clavering, wiping a truant 
tear from her cheek : I was the only child of my 
parents, one of whom, my dear and honored father, 
died before I had attained my twelfth year, soon 
after which sad event I was sent to be educated at a 
convent in France. Here no pains were spared by 
the pious sisters of the 8acr^ Cceur in my education; 
and, above all, my devotional feelings were so care- 
fully trained, and every pious wish and religious 
sentiment so cherished, so encouraged, that, in com- 
parison with my present sentiments I can say it 
truly, Louis, now that I am fallen ; my heart was 
filled with the most angelic hopes, and in heavenly 
aspirations I forgot the world into which I was 
again to enter. In those cloistered walls I shed 
tears, one of which to contrite hearts would be worth 
the wealth of Golconda, as morning and evening 
before the holy sacrament, or altar of our Lady, I 
offered up with pure and undivided heart my simple 
devotions. What music will ever sound so sweet 
to me as the blessed chaunt of the matin lay or 
nocturn office; or what earthly pageant ever pre- 
sented such charms as the scenes of many a twilight 
hour, when all the community and many of those 
committed to their charge, after preparing by con- 
fession to receive on the following morning the ^food 
of angels,^ assembled in solemn and devout order, 
gliding through the dim aisles of that lofty chapel 


46 


THE STUDENT OF 


to their respective places, like spirits veiled in white, 
chaunting in heavenly tones the litany of the Mother 
of God, and ending their prayer for aid by the thril- 
ling strains of the Agnus Dei ! Then,^’ said' Mrs. 
Clavering, clasping her hands, at that moment I 
would close my eyes and almost imagine myself on 
the confines of an eternal and seraphic land, listen- 
ing with calm though blest emotion to the songs of 
the redeemed ! I was young and sinless then, and 
if it had pleased God to take me to himself — but it 
is well : I have been tried and not found worthy of 
passing through earth’s ordeal unscathed. I was so 
in love with a religious life that, under the pretext 
of attending more closely to my music and painting, 
I determined to remain two years longer after my 
education was pronounced complete; but the Abb6 
D’PIarville, my director, to whom I explained my 
wishes, gave me no encouragement to embrace a 
religious life, advising me by all means to return, at 
least for a season, to the world whose allurements I 
so much dreaded, saying : ‘ My dear child, you have 
no vocation, I think, for a conventual life; but, if 
God calls you to it, and you are faithful to His 
grace, your wishes will be ultimately realized.’ 
About this time came a peremptory summons from 
my mother to return home immediately under the 
protection and care of Mr. Clavering, an old friend 
of hers, who had been spending the winter in the 
south of France for the benefit of his health. She 
informed me that she had purchased a house in 




BLENHEIM FOREST, 


47 


Baltimore, and now resided there altogether. Ah ! 
I could detail all the tender incidents of my depar- 
ture from this home of my soul, but it is useless. 
The night before I left the place where the most 
tranquil and happy moments of my life were passed, 
I spent several hours in the chapel before the Holy 
of holies, where so often I had received the bread of 
life ; and as I knelt in prostrate supplication, water- 
ing the marble floor with my tears, I implored 
fervently and sincerely for aid and succor in my 
coming temptations. The next morning, before the 
stars had faded from the sky, I arose and descended 
to the convent garden to bid adieu to its shaded 
walks. I there plucked clusters of orange blossoms 
and lilies of the valley, and hastened up to make 
my last prayers and oflerings to our Lady. I laid 
them in silence and tears on her shrine, reserving 
two or three as precious mementos of a place which 
my own presentiments told me I should never 
behold again.” Mrs. Clavering took from her 
dressing table a small filigree case, and pressed a 
spring on the top, which flew open, and revealed 
not jewels or trinkets of gold, but a few faded orange 
blossoms and lilies of the vale ! They were withered 
and yellow wdth age, and shorn of their freshness 
and beauty ; but a faint perfume lingered around 
them, still imparting a touching and tender sacred- 
ness to this little memento. Clavering kissed the 
relic respectfully, and returned it to his mother. 

The final adieu between the beloved nuns and 


/ 


48 


THE STUDENT OF 


myself has never been forgotten ! My last act was 
to throw myself at Father D’Harville’s feet and 
implore his blessing. Our voyage was unmarked 
by any unpleasant incident, and favorable and gen- 
tle winds soon wafted our vessel to her destination, 
when Mr. Clavering, whom I had found to be a 
quiet and gentlemanly man, with kind, paternal 
manners and an elegantly cultivated mind, con- 
ducted me to my mother’s residence in Baltimore. 
I was then in my nineteenth year, tall, well formed, 
and you can see traces on my face which plainly 
indicate that I was then beautiful. I at first shrank 
from the world and its fascinations as from conta- 
gion, and in devotion to my mother and the quiet 
exercise of my religious duties, my time was well 
and happily filled up ; but, alas ! the world followed 
me with its bewitching whispers — its pomp, its dis- 
play and pride, until at last I began to look and 
listen and venture, step by step, along the borders 
of the vortex, and beheld with pleased and dizzy 
brain its changing pageantry. Oh, my God ! didst 
Thou then forsake me, or leave me only for a season 
that I might return to Thee with an humbled and 
broken heart? The illusion was too beautiful; I 
heard myself praised, and my sayings and doings 
repeated as choice hon mots or graceful examples. 
I found myself courted, sought after and caressed, 
and spoken of always as the most beautiful of our 
select coteries; so at last, with a heart divided 
between heaven and earth, I yielded myself gradu- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


49 


ally up to the charm of earthly vanities ! Among 
my most frequent visitors was Captain Clavering, 
one of the most elegant and accomplished men in 
the United States army, on whom* though some 
years my senior, I had in secret bestowed the first 
and sole affection of my heart: this, however, he 
never in the slightest manner understood, as my 
whole conduct towards him was characterized by a 
cold and dignified air. I forgot to mention that he 
was the son of my mother’s friend, and as such was 
received in our family with the greatest cordiality ; 
but again I must ask, of what use are the reminis- 
cences? To a noble and elegant person he united 
an intelligent and cultivated mind, and was withal 
a strict member of the church of England. He 
sometimes accompanied me to my own church, 
more, however, through courtesy than devotion; 
for, from certain observations which he had made 
inadvertently, I was well convinced that he looked 
on the creed I professed as a perversion of Christi- 
anity ; but, as he was too well bred a gentleman to 
obtrude his sentiments openly in my presence, I 
had no direct opportunity of finding them out until 
it was too late for me to retract. He declared his 
sentiments of affection for me most unexpectedly, 
and after a short delay on my part, received a favor- 
able answer and permission to ask the approbation 
of my mother. I suspected too truly his stern and 
uncompromising principles of dislike against the 
Catholic religion, and though this should have been 


50 


THE STUDENT OF 


warning sufficient, I chose rather to place my faith 
in the way of sacrifice, than sacrifice for it the 
endearing hopes of earthly love. My mother was 
much dissatisfi*ed at the result of this friendly inti- 
macy; but, finding all opposition useless, gave at 
last her reluctant consent to our union, requesting 
Captain Clavering at the same time, and in the 
most solemn manner, to allow me the privilege (if 
I evei became a mother) of educating my children 
in the Catholic faith. After endeavoring in every 
way to change my mother’s decision, he most 
unwillingly consented to this condition. Ah ! my 
child ! I — traitor as I have been to heaven and 
my religion, confirmed him in kis errors by my 
indifference and apparent forgetfulness of all its 
most sacred obligations. Is it then strange or 
wonderful that, when I could so lightly break my 
off-repeated promises and vows to God, he should 
forget a promise which had been extorted from him 
by a mortal ? Oh ! the long years of concealed 
anguish ! the hours — ^but I will hasten to conclude, 
as I have already said more than I intended. Cap- 
tain Clavering was of course opposed to our being 
married by a Catholic clergyman ; but finding my 
mother inexorable also on this point, he yielded 
with an expression of irritation and displeasure on 
his usually calm features, and I afterwards heard 
muttered something about bigotry, prejudice, and 
devotees, which she did not deign to notice, for 
duty and religion, like piety and charity, are the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


61 


twin-sisters of heaven, and she felt that to separate 
them would be sinful. The wedding gaieties passed 
off as all festivities of the kind do, and the time 
soon came, too rapidly, for us to leave Baltimore 
and take up our residence at Mr. Clavering’s seat 
in Virginia. The day before I left home my 
mother took me aside, and, showing me a large 
box already packed and nailed up, placed her dear 
arms around me, and said, with sighs and tears : 
‘Ah, Josephine ! God grant that this union may be 
happy ! You are going where you will neither see 
nor enjoy any of the privileges of your religion. 
God grant, my dear child, that you may not forget 
and at last forsake it!’ ‘Never! never! my beloved 
mother,’ I exclaimed, clasping her in a loving 
embrace. ‘I hope not, my darling; but there is 
a fickleness of purpose about you, Josephine, which 
alarms me with sad anticipations. Rather, oh! 
rather would I with my own hands deck this dar- 
ling head and perfect form with the cerements of 
the grave, and see it laid in the forgetful earth, than 
live to know that you had betrayed the Lord in His 
faith. In this box you will find some books of 
devotion, and everything necessary to fit up an 
oratory in your far-off home, which I have after 
much delay and difficulty prepared. I charge you 
do it, and never let a day pass without going thither, 
to bend your knees in humility, saying at the same 
time the prayers of the Church, that you may be 
delivered from temptation. Here,’ she continued, 


52 


THE STUDEis^T OF 


‘ is a gold crucifix, which you must always wear ; 
never for a moment let it leave your breast, and our 
Mother of grace shield you from the snares of the 
enemy ; our Lord bless and go with you, my child ! ’ 
Louis, I never saw that beloved mother again. We 
were received by the neighboring gentry with rap- 
turous welcome, aud, in fact, such were my engage- 
rdcnts in this perpetual routine of kind civilities, 
and the reception of visitors with whom, for one 
year, our house was continually thronged, that I 
had scarcely time to think whether or not I had a 
soul, and of course my box lay untouched and 
almost forgotten. In the course of two years you 
were born. Before your birth gloomy anticipations 
saddened my heart, and, depressed and repentant, I 
would have given worlds to kneel in the sacred tri- 
bunal of penance, and receive once more the rites 
of that Church, which, amidst my infidelity, I still 
loved ; but this was impossible, and I bethought 
myself of my oratory. Selecting the room it is in 
as the most distant and unfrequented in the house, 
and consulting with an ingenious workman whose 
family were under some obligations to me, we in- 
vented the sliding door and spring, known only to 
him and myself, and there, unseen by mortal eyes, 
I toiled day and night until it was complete. There 
I often spent hours, trying to propitiate heaven by 
contrition and prayer. Although your father never 
spoke in direct terms of ridicule of my religious 
belief, there was a quiet scorn expressed in his 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


53 


countenance whenever I made the least allusion to 
it, and a contemptuous pity, blended Avith a super- 
cilious air, which Avas- more terrible and dangerous 
to me than the most open opposition would have 
been. Occasionally a polished though biting sar- 
casm Avas thrown out, and books, with certain pas- 
sages marked, left open on my table, and eloquent 
defences, written by distinguished di\dnes of the 
church of England, read aloud to me Avitli all 
the graces of a sweet and beloved voice and good 
elocution. I listened at first in silence and sorroAV, 
and one day ventured to say, ^Ah, why — Avhy is 
this?^ — Avhen your father answered quickly, and 
with emotion — ^Because I love you, Josephine, AAuth 
an affection that is stronger than death ; I thus try 
to Avin you from error, and unite your heart to mine 
in the bonds of the same faith.’ After this he read 
aloud more frequently, and still continued his in- 
direct attacks on the cunningly devised fables of 
Rome, as he was pleased to style them, until indis- 
tinct thoughts began to enter my mind of making a 
compromise between his doctrines and my own 
imperishable creed. When it was knoAvn through 
the house that an heir was born — a boy — nothing 
could equal the rapture of the family, and I, in the 
abandon of my new joy, forgot its penalty, Avhich 
made my first-born an alien from the true fold of 
Christ. And your father ! — oh, it was a moving, a 
touching sight, to see the proud man kneeling — 
matured in mind, majestic and not lightly moved — 



54 


THE STUDENT OF 


by' the side of an unconscious babe, his first-born 
child, and with tears baptizing its cherub brow in 
silent joy. I was a proud, .a happy mother, and, 
in the circle of my tranquil home joys, cared not 
for the world. The time appointed for the christen- 
ing was some months distant, when the amiable 

Bishop M was expected to give confirmation 

in this quarter of his diocese, it being the season of 
his annual visitation. One day seeing you look 
pale and languid, my child, and finding that you 
refused nourishment, I became much alarmed, and 
recollecting the practice of the Catholic Church 
regarding baptism, I seized an opportunity when 
we were left for an instant alone, and while my 
heart bled with anguish, I poured water on your 
head, baptizing you in the name of the adorable 
Trinity, giving you the name of Louis Celestin. I 
was now comparatively at rest! Your indisposition 
wore off entirely in the course of a few days, and 
with a thankful and subdued heart, still clinging 
with love to my ancient faith, I determined to offer 
you, at the foot of my little altar, to our Lord, 
under the patronage of His holy Mother ! 

It was a quiet and lovely morning, such an one 
as this, .and after adorning the oratory with the 
richest blossoms and purest flowers, and lighting up 
its tapers, until it looked like a mass of beautiful 
glory, I bore you in my arms, all clothed in white, 
and knelt before it, almost happy; and Louis, it 
was not fancy ; at that moment, when I offered you 


BLENHEIM FOEEST. 


55 


with my contrite heart as a holocaust to the Lord, 
you stretched forth your little arms towards it and 
smiled ! I received that little act and happy smile 
as an angelic assurance that my otFering had been 
accepted. When Bishop M arrived I accom- 

panied your father for the first time to the Protestant 
church, as you were that day carried thither to 
receive at his hands the rite of baptism. With 
painful interest, and in tears, I watched the cere- 
mony, and after it was over, received you in my 
arms, and, pressing a kiss on your innocent face, 
felt that through my fault, my grievous fault, my 
child had been made an outcast from the true paths 
of salvation. Captain Clavering must have divined 
my thoughts, for, approaching, he said hastily, in 
an under tone, * Why these tears, and this sadness, 
Josephine? — they are out of place. Oh, how 
unkind!^ Time passed — years, happy years — 
although the spectre of my forsaken faith, in my 
moments of solitude, was always before me with 
sad and reproachful mien, and in the course of time 
you were sent to William and Mary’s college, where 
every thing has been done to confirm you in the 
Protestant religion. You know the rest ! The over- 
ruling hand of Providence is over you and me for 
good, and yet your father, Louis ! if, after a candid 
investigation of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic 
Church, you enter its folds, prepare your mind for 
sacrifice, for I tell you it will be required of you. 
Go now, my child ! my heart is heavy and sad ; I 
would be alone ! Ix'ave me a while.” 


56 


THE STUDENT OF 


CHAPTER VI. 

THE STUDENT^S JOURNAL, 

Among- the books so kindly and promptly sent 
by Father Francis, Clavering found MilneFs End 
of Controversy/^ Amicable Discussion,” the book 
of the Council of Trent, and a volume from the 
persuasive and elegant pen of Dr. Challoner on 
the sacraments, ceremonies, and observances of the 
Church. These would have been sufficient in them- 
selves to confirm the facts, the knowledge of which 
seemed almost instinctive, without the aid of the 
profound Bossuet, the powerful arguments of T Abbe 
Fleury, and the learned and clear views of Dr. Lin- 
gard. The young student’s journal, now in the 
possession of a friend, who has allowed certain 
extracts to be made from it, will give more distinct 
indications on the subject of Catholic doctrine than 
any description, no matter how well written, possibly 
could. As those who feel sufficient interest in his 
progress may, perhaps, read this chapter, they will 
perceive that it is written in all simplicity, and very 
evidently without the remotest idea that any eye 
except his own would ever behold it. 

September 1. — In all the creations of God I 
behold a beauty and perfection of system, extending 


BLENHEIM FOBEST. 


67 


in grand and majestic harmony from the ineffable 
glory of their great First Cause, down to the veriest 
mite that glitters in the sunbeam, the same principle 
uniting the golden links, rendering the fact that He 
is a God of the most consistent order, indisputable. 
He cannot be at the same time a God of order and 
disorder, for by the one the objects of the other 
would be made useless and nugatory. ... As all 
nature, animate and inanimate, in their minutest 
gradations, plainly declare the divine origin, which 
is the cause of their creation and order, can I for an 
instant doubt that in the unparalleled plan of man’s 
salvation. His purpose has been without system or 
order? Or that the cause for which He descended, 
and took upon Himself the form of man, under 
which form He graciously suffered death that the 
sons of men might inherit eternal life, was one 
unworthy of its origin? Would the beautiful per- 
fection of order, exhibited in those things which 
must perish forever in the ^ wreck of matter and 
the crash of worlds,’ be inferior in that system of 
faith and polity which makes the church militant 
on earth and the church triumphant in heaven one, 
by the communion of saints, having, for their com- 
mon Father, God? Ah, no, my soul! with St. Paul 
we must exclaim, as there is but ^ one Lord,’ so can 
there be but ^ one faith,’ and ^ one baptism ; ’ and as 
He also is a God of unity, it is evidently not His 
will that His follow^ers should be carried about, like 
children, by ^ every wind of doctrine,’ running after 


58 


THE STUDENT OF 


those of whom the Lord hath said, ^ I sent them not, 
and they ran; I spake not to them, and they proph- 
esied.’ — Jerem. xiii, 21. . . . That there can be 
but one church, in the union of one faith, under the 
government of one head, is a fact wddch the words 
of Christ Himself do not allow me to doubt, — a 
church w^hich. He tells us, is built on a rock, against 
which ^the gates of hell shall not prevail;’ for the 
very plain reason that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of 
truth and fortitude, has been given to it for a guide 
and protection, with the express promise that He 
Himself would remain with it all days, even until 
the consummation of time. Christ declares, and I 
have the authority of the Scriptures for it, that He 
came to gather all nations together, to bring back 
those who had been dispersed, that there might be 
but one ^ sheepfold under one Shepherd ; ’ and it 
seems so contrary to the spirit of unity which He 
constantly taught, that His followers, or their 
successors, should be divided into many and con- 
tradictory communions, that He constantly prayed 
that, in the spiritual kingdom He came to establish 
on earth. His disciples should be one, as He and 
Plis heavenly Father were one, united in the same 
worship, the same hope and love, which can alone 
promote this great and important object. The 
heavenly doctrines which He taught He delegated 
His a})ostles to preach to all nations, giving them 
the same miraculous powers which characterized His 
own teaching, that unbelievers might acknowledge 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


69 


their divine mission, while they preached to them 
the same Christ, or Redeemer, and administered to 
them the same baptism. Their divine commission 
extended not to a limited period, but to the end of 
time, showing most plainly that those who were to 
follow after them, in the ministry of the faith, were 
recipients also of the same authority and apostolic 
functions, and as the same rule of faith was laid 
down by Christ for them to follow and to teach, it 
naturally tended to unite all in the same religious 
sentiments, making in its unity one ^ fold,^ of which 
Christ is the Shepherd, and ^one body,^ of which He 
is the head. . . . Innumerable are the references in 
the sacred writings, to the ^ church,’ ^ its unity,’ the 
authority of its pastors, and the promises of Christ 
that it should be guided by His Holy Spirit in all 
truth ; all of which I have examined, and find that 
they, like those which. I have quoted for my own 
edification, bear most abundant proofs that this 
church of God, which He in His wisdom and love 
established, still exists, or that He is shorn of the 
brightest attribute of Deity, His truth ; and, if so, 
consequently all religion must be a fable. But dost 
thou not, my soul, shrink affrighted from a theory 
which indirectly accuses the Lord God of prevarica- 
tion ? . . . Can I believe it possible for a north, 
south and west wind to blow from the east at the 
same time? Just as impossible is it for me to 
believe that the contradictory opinions of opposing 
sects emanate from an unchangeable and perfect 


60 


THE STUDENT OF 


God, or for me to believe that the promises of the 
God-man will ever fail. That the Church of Christ 
does not exist among any of the Protestant sects is a 
very evident fact, from the simple circumstance that 
not one of the various and contradictory creeds now 
known as the fruits of the English and German 
reformations, can be traced beyond a period of three 
hundred years, while I learn from the writings of 
her own illustrious theologians, contemporary evi- 
dence and historic facts, that the Roman Catholic 
Church was the same in faith and practice eighteen 
centuries ago that she is now ; that the same rule of 
government under the same visible head still exists, 
unchanged and imperishable, as it did then. . . . 
^Should any one object,’ says St. Ambrose, Hhat the 
Church is content with one Head and one Spouse, 
Jesus Christ, and desires no other, the answer is 
obvious ; for us, we deem Christ not only the author 
of all the sacraments, but also their invisible minister; 
(for He it is Who baptizes ; He it is Who absolves, 
although men are appointed by Him the external 
ministers of the sacraments ; ) so has He placed over 
His Church, which He governs by His invisible 
Spirit, a man to be His vicar, and the minister of 
His power; a visible church requires a visible head, 
therefore does the Saviour appoint Peter head and 
pastor of all the faithful, when in the most ample 
terms He commits to his care the feeding of all Plis 
sheep, desiring that he who was to succeed him 
should be invested with the very same power of 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


61 


ruling and governing the entire church. I find the 
succession of these, the head pastors of the Catholic 
Church, unbroken, reaching from Peter ‘ the prince 
of the apostles,^ in beautiful order, down to the 
venerable pontiff who now fills the chair at Pome, 
while the rules of government and faith of those 
new sects which have filled the last three centuries 
with divisions, contradictions and turmoil, can be 
traced up to their respective founders, and there, of 
necessity, must cease, because their origin extends no 
further back than the era in which they broke off* 
from the holy and venerable communion of Pome. 
. . . Beautiful spouse of Christ ! emblem of that 
happy eternity which He has promised to those who 
believe His word, how majestically dost thou glide 
on unmoved through the mutations of those storms 
of the reformation which planted their prolific seeds 
in the whirlwind and tempest! How unchanged 
art thou amid changes ! How serene and unmoved 
amid the wrecks of empires and the downfall of 
great nations, and the wild destruction of human 
institutions and human inventions ! I see, without 
the shadow of a doubt, that to thee, and thee alone, 
the promises of Christ to His Church apply ; I find 
that thou alone canst claim with truth the inspira- 
tion of the Holy Ghost from all ages 1 As a fountain 
is always pure and refreshing at its source, so do I 
find those days immediately succeeding Christ ren- 
dered splendid and sublime by those illustrious 
martyrs of .God who made the sterile wastes of 


62 


THE STUDENT OF 


heathen soil holy with their shed blood, and by the 
glorious confessors who, by their endurance of tor- 
ments and persecution, sealed their faith in Christ ! 
Oh ! out forever on the epithets of popish and idol- 
atrous with which these ages are branded, for branded 
they are with these most contemptuous terms, inas- 
much as he who bestows them now on the true Church 
of Christ, which holds now precisely the same faith, 
the same precepts and observances, that it did then, 
inflicts them on those ages of the glory of God ! . . . 
And can it be that the primitive and holy Christians 
of those days did not depend on the private interpre- 
tation of the Scriptures for salvation! Can it be 
possible that, in the beginning, some parts of the 
N’ew Testament were not written, and even when 
they were, several hundred years elapsed before its 
precise limits and authenticity were defined and 
established by the Church? Without the aid of 
biblical readings and scriptural discussions, on what 
did these early Christians rely? How were they 
taught? What guides directed their course in the 
ways of faith ? By hearing, and submitting to the 
teaching of the apostles and their traditions, for, as 
St. Paul says to the Thessalonians, ^ Stand fast, and 
hold the traditions you have learned, whether by 
word or by our Epistle,^ and to Timothy, ‘The 
things which thou hast, heard of me before many 
witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who 
shall be fit to teach others also.^ What mean these 
traditions ? ‘ How are they defined by the Catholio 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


63 


Church ? Not the arbitrary laws imposed by the 
traditions of the Jews, but the unwritten word of 
God transmitted by Jesus Christ to His apostles, 
and by them to their successors. Tradition that 
cannot be traced to this sacred source, has neither 
value nor authority in her eyes.’ * Long ago had I 
anticipated these conclusions, without the assist- 
ance of abstruse disquisitions or profound thought, 
although in an undefined manner, and I felt quite 
sure that some rule besides the authority of the 
Scriptures, marked its infallible source. The sacred 
volume, supported by traditions and discreet expla- 
nations of things ^hard to be understood,’ by duly 
authorized teachers, aided by the inspirations of the 
Holy Ghost, have preserved, beyond doubt, that 
union of faith in the Catholic religion which 
astonishes and fills with wonder the heart of 
infidelity itself.” .... 

These simple, though important facts, relative to 
the truth and authority of the Church, established 
in his mind by scriptural references, tradition, and 
history, and the more elaborate arguments of pro- 
found theologians, the young student glided, without 
a shadow, on the bright current of its imperishable 
doctrines ! His mind was at rest as he wrote in his 
journal, acknowledge the pre-eminence of the 
Catholic Church above all others, and its sacra- 
mental institutions preserved so faithfully by its 
authority and truth, present in magnificent and 


Bishop Baines. 


64 


THE STUDENT OF 


grand order, a consistent and perfect harmony with 
its divine origin unequalled in time, because its 
eternal principles defy all changes or distractions ! 
Here, then, will I rest; within this fold will I enter, 
and repose the weary wings of my soul ; and on that 
bosom where the martyred saints are sleeping, and 
in those arms where the rescued from life’s weeping 
rest, I will confidingly lay my head.” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


65 


CHAPTER VII. 

ANOTHER EXTRACT FROM THE STUDENT^S 
JOURNAL. 

Reflections on the Holy Eucharist. — 
September 19. — Protestants as well as Catholics 
profess a firm belief in the self-existence of an 
all-wise, omniscient and omnipresent God ! What 
so incomprehensible as this mystery, accompanied 
as it is by 4;he wonderful numerical difficulty of the 
union of three persons in one Godhead ! They pro- 
fess also with unshaken faith their belief that this 
great and supreme God humbled himself by uniting 
in one person the human and divine natures, under 
the form of a helpless infant born in the stable of 
Bethlehem. These mysteries, the self-existence of a 
God, the trinity, the incarnation, the greatest and 
most astounding to human reason that have ever 
been presented to the principle of faith, are received 
and defended without the shadow of a doubt, while 
the mystery of the eucharist, of little difficulty when 
comj^ared with these, is rejected. And what is the 
eucharistic mystery? That great and incompre- 
hensible Being whom we believe to have been born 
an infant in a stable and to have died as a malefac- 
tor on the cross, we are told, is present under another 
5 


66 


THE STUDENT OF 


guise, to complete the work of love and mercy which 
suggested his first concealment.* St. Basil says that 
about the things that God has spoken there should 
be no hesitation or doubt, but a firm persuasion that 
all is true and possible, though nature be against it. 
Herein lies the struggle of faith. Let me, however, 
turn with more certain confidence to the express and 
reiterated words of Christ Himself and His apostles, 
concerning this wonderful and most consoling mys- 
tery. In the sixth chapter of St. John, I find that 
Christ prefigured the mystical feast of the cucharist, 
by feeding, in a miraculous manner, five thousand 
men with five barley loaves and two fishes, which 
insignificant quantity, being multiplied most myste- 
riously by His divine power, satisfied the hungry 
crowd with a plentiful repast, while fragments were 
left, which, when gathered up, filled twelve baskets 
^over and above what they had eaten.’ Who doubts 
this miracle, and yet who can comprehend it? Is it 
one subject to numerical or logical rules, that any 
given quantity or substance should be divided into 
numberless portions, and thus consumed, while, at 
the same time, three times as much over and above 
the original quantity remained ? Who among those 
hungry men, thus miraculously fed by Christ, doubted 
the evidences of this miracle? None ! So far from 
it that, awe-struck and admiring, they would have 
made the meek and lowly Jesus a king, had He not 
left them and ^gone into a mountain.’ Was this 


* Bishop Baines. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


67 


miracle wrought merely to astonish the multitude, 
or prepare the minds of His true followers for the 
reception of a truth in which was comprised the 
unequivocal promise of the legacy of ^ His body and 
blood, ^ which was soon to be ratified at the new 
paschal feast, and sealed by His shed blood and His 
death on Mount Calvary? But many of this multi- 
tude who had been fed by His miraculous bounty, 
like the unbelievers of our day, eager only after Uhe 
things of the flesh ^ w^hich profited them nothing, 
rejected with scorn the promises of the divine Sav- 
iour who declared unto them that they were the 
^spirit and the life/ — V. 64. 

^ Then Jesus said unto them, amen, amen : I 
say to you, Moses gave you not bread from heaven, 
but My Father giveth you the true bread from 
heaven.’ — V. 32. 

‘^^And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of 
life : he that cometh to Me shall not hunger, and he 
that believeth in Me shall never thirst.’ — F. 35. 

^ Amen ! amen ! I say unto you, he that believ- 
eth in Me hath everlasting life.’ — F. 47. 

^ I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.’ F. 48. 

^ Your fathers did eat manna in the desert and 
are dead.’ — F. 49. 

^ This is the bread which 'cometh down from 
heaven, that if any man eat of it he may not die.’ — 
F. 60. 

^ I am the living bread which came down from 
heaven.’ — F. 51. 


68 


THE STUDENT OF 


^ If any man eat of this bread he shall live for- 
ever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh for 
the life of the world/ — F. 52. 

^ Then Jesus said to them, amen, amen, I say 
unto you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of 
man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life 
in you.’ — V. 64. 

^^^He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My 
blood hath everlasting life, and I will raise him up 
at the last day.’ — F. 55. 

^ For My flesh is meat indeed and My blood 
drink indeed.’— F. 56. 

^ He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My 
blood abideth in Me and I in him.’ — F. 57. 

As the living Father hath sent Me and I live 
by the Father, so he that eateth Me the same shall 
live by Me.’ — F. 68. 

^ This is the bread that came down from heaven ! 
Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. 
He that eateth this bread shall live forever.’ — F. 59. 

Imagining in their carnal apprehension that 
He referred to flesh separated from the spirit, which 
would thus be dead, they rejected these splendid 
promises as profiting nothing; not discerning the 
‘ spirit and life ’ which was proposed to them in this 
heavenly sacrament whereby they might have gained 
eternal life, ^ many of His disciples went back and 
walked with Him no more.’ Some sophists might 
declare from this that the flesh of Christ Himself 
profited nothing ; but, if so, would He have assumed 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


69 


flesh for us, and died in the flesh, to consummate the 
plan of our redemption ? Let us not, O my soul ! 
accuse the Lord of prevarication, as did those sepa- 
ratists at Capharnaum, by turning a deaf and unbe- 
lieving ear to His divine sentences ! Hear what the 
apostle St. Paul says when he speaks of this mystery 
to the Corinthians : ‘ Therefore whosoever shall eat 
this bread or drink this chalice unworthily, shall be 
guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.’ 
Awful sentence I ‘ But let a man prove himself, 
and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that 
chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily 
eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not dis- 
cerning the body of the Lord ! ’ 

The sublime simplicity of the words of Christ 
in instituting the eucharistic feast cannot possibly 
be tortured from their literal meaning. For whilst 
they were at supper Jesus took bread and blessed it 
and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said : 
‘ Take ye and eat ; this is My body.’ And taking 
the chalice he gave thanks, and gave it to them, 
saying : ^ Drink ye all of this, for this is My blood 

OF THE NEW TESTAMENT SHED FOR MANY UNTO 
THE REMISSION OF SINS.’* With these indisputable 
references from Scripture, I shall insert one more in 
my journal for the purpose of- consoling my spirit 
if the lightest shadow should ever fall over its un- 
wavering faith. Hear what the Spirit says to the 
churches: ^to him that overcometh I will give the 


Matthew, xxvi, 26-28. 


70 


THE STUDENT OF 


hidden manna, and will give him a white counter^ 
and in the counter a new name written which no 
man knoweth but he that receiveth.’ * Asa sequel 
to these, I will also write a few extracts from the 
ancient fathers, and quotations from the history of 
the Church, for my present and future edification. 
^ Perhaps,’ says St. Ambrose, ^ you will say, why do 
you tell me that I receive the body of Christ when 
I see quite another thing? AYe have this point 
therefore to prove. How many examples do we 
produce to show you that it is not what nature made 
it, but what the benediction has consecrated it, and 
that the benediction is of greater force than nature, 
because by the benediction nature itself is changed. 
Moses cast his rod to the ground and it became a 
serpent ; he caught hold of the serpent’s tail and it 
recovered the nature of a rod. Thou hast read of 
the creation of the world ; if Christ by His word 
was able to make something out of nothing, shall 
He not be thought able to change one thing into 
another? ’f St. Gaudentius of Brescia writes : ^In 
the shadows and figures of the ancient pasch not one 
lamb but many were slain, for each house had its 
sacrifice, because one victim could not suffice for all 
the people, and also because the mystery was a mere 
figure and not the reality of the passion of our Lord. 
For the figure of a thing is not the reality, but only 
the image and representation of the thing signified. 
But now the figure has ceased, the One that died 


^Apocalypse, ii, 17. 


t De Mysteriis. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


71 


:for all immolated in the mystery of bread and wine 
gives life through all the churches, and, being con- 
secrated, sanctifies those who consecrate. . . . He 
Who is the Creator and Lord of all nations. Who 
produces bread from the earth, of the bread makes 
His own proper body (for He is able and He has 
promised to do it,) and Who of water made wine 
and of wine His blood.’ * St. Maruthas says : 
^ Christ did not call it the figure or species of His 
body, but He said ^ this truly is My body and this 
My blood.’ f I find in the ancient liturgy of Jeru- 
salem, or of St. James, as it is sometimes called, this 
prayer: ^Have mercy on us, O God! the Father 
Almighty, and send Thy Holy Spirit, the Lord and 
giver of life, equal in dominion to Thee and Thy 
Son, Who descended in the likeness of a dove on our 
Lord Jesus Christ, Who descended on Thy apostles 
in the likeness of tongues of fire, that coming He 
may make the bread the life-giving body, the saving 
body, the body giving health to souls and bodies, the 
body of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus for the 
remission of sins and eternal life to those who receive 
it, amen. Wherefore we offer Thee, O Lord ! this 
tremendous and unbloody sacrifice for Thy holy 
places which Thou hast enlightened by the mani- 
festations of Christ Thy Son.’ Bishop Baines writes 
thus : ^ It is a fact which admits of no dispute, that 
the whole Catholic Church, in the four quarters of 
the globe, profess at this day to’offer up to God in 


Tract ii, de pasch. 


f Com. in Matt. 


72 


THE STUDENT OF 


the mass a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice foj 
the living and the dead. (Council of Trent.) She 
professes that in this sacrifice the divine Redeemer 
offers Himself through the ministry of His lawfully 
ordained priests, as a victim of propitiation to His 
eternal Father, thus renewing, in an unbloody man- 
ner, the sacrifice of the cross, and completing the 
mystery of our redemption by a sacramental union 
with His children. It is also equally certain that 
the whole schismatic Greek church, situated in Gre- 
cian provinces, and throughout the vast empire of 
Russia, as well as every individual of any ancient 
sect scattered through the continents of Asia and 
Africa, believe in and worship God by the very same 
adorable sacrifice as the Catholic Church, so that 
on this subject there is not the slightest difference 
between her and those separated churches. Is it 
possible that churches which have been separated 
from each other for so many ages should all agree 
in this doctrine if it were not the primitive and 
original doctrine of Christ? That the same was 
the belief of all England from the period of its 
conversion in the sixth century until the reformation 
in the sixteenth, is matter of equal notoriety. Our 
most ancient churches still exhibit marks where once 
the altar stood — where the wine and water used in 
the sacrifice were placed, and where the communi- 
cants received the bread of life ! Are we lightly to 
assert that all our Christian ancestors for a thousand 
years worshipped God by a false and idolatrous 
creed 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


n 

I hail thee, O Church of God ! and thy divine, 
imperishable doctrines, as the traveller in a ^ weary 
land ^ hails the shadow of a great rock, or the hunted 
deer spies with joy a safe shelter from his pursuers 
beside a refreshing fount. . . 

If any, like the young student, who are inquiring 
the way to truth, should read this little narrative, 
which contains no fiction; it is hoped that they will 
without delay procure those books which produced 
such happy and decisive results in his mind, and 
investigate prayerfully and impartially this impor- 
tant matter for themselves. 


74 


THE STUD-E^’T OF 


CHAPTER YIII. 

FACTS, FANCIES, AND FEARS. 

Clavering had just turned over the last page 
of Milner’s End of Controversy,” which he had 
been reading the second time, and was sitting in his 
favorite retreat, half buried in pleasing thought, 
when he heard the sound of heavy footsteps, and, 
raising his eyes, saw Col. Clavering, who had arrived 
that morning from Fredericksburg, standing before 
him. 

Well, sir,” exclaimed his father, ^^are we never 
to see more of you than now ? I am half tempted 
to curse books. What good can come of your thus 
reading your health away and your eyes out, making 
yourself look really more decrepid than I do ? ” 

Louis laid down the book, which he had been 
holding half closed in his hand, and replied, smiling: 

^^Dear father, you yourself taught me to love 
books ; but forgive me, sir, if I have seemed undu- 
tiful or inattentive.” 

Attentive ! ’fore George, I hardly see you often 
enough to know you. I can scarcely identify you 
as my once noble looking son — only see ! you stoop 
in the shoulders, are pale and haggard, and look 
ten years older than when I last saw you ! What 
are your studies, pray ? ” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


75 


V arious, sir,” answered Clavering, evading for 
the moment the storm which he saw gathering in 
the distance. 

‘‘Well! well! I shall call you to an account 
soon ; meanwhile, boy, rub up your manners, shake 
off* your rust, and prepare to assist me in doing the 
honors of our house, for I expect a party of friends 
to-morrow from Fredericksburg, who will make the 
silent old castle ring with gaiety, and among them 
I assure you you wall find several accomplished and 
elegant ladies, but even these with all their fasci- 
nating qualities do not surpass my young relative, 
Isadora Seymour. Some talented men too, by the 
by, will be of the party, and it is my earnest wish, 
sir, that you will rouse the slumbering energies of 
your nature, and show yourself their equal in intel- 
lect and manners.” 

“ Ah ! my God,” thought Clavering, with a pang 
at his heart, “ give me Thy grace in coming trials, 
and all will be well.” 

He turned away his head that his father might 
not see the changing emotions that marked liis 
countenance, and the colonel exclaimed, in a ban- 
tering tone : 

“ Come, no blushing : you students are really too 
bashful for the age in which you live ; however, 
you exist so much among the spirits of the past that 
it is quite natural perhaps for you to learn a few old 
fashioned lessons of modesty; but see, our horses 
which I ordered round are ready. Are you disposed 
to ride ? ” 


76 


THE STUDENT OF 


Certainly, sir.’’ 

Clavering soon drew his father into a detailed 
account of the business which had carried him from 
home, and adroitly turned the conversation during 
the ride from any subject which in the remotest 
manner might* have led to a denouement concerning 
the wished-for union between himself and cousin. 

The next day the visitors lauded from the steam- 
boat at eleven o’clock, and nothing was now to be 
thought of but gaiety and mirth. None possessed 
the ancient spirit of the Old Dominion in a more 
eminent degree than did Colonel Clavering, who 
retained all its warm-hearted hospitality, and deemed 
no sacrifice too great for the entertainment of those 
who were his guests. He was of a race who are 
gradually becoming extinct, and who, when the age 
of improvement progresses a little further, and a few 
more cold customs from the north are imported, will 
be remembered, as is the old English gentleman,” 
only in song or story ! The noisy peal of the gong 
in the morning, announcing breakfast, was the sig- 
nal for the commencement of a day of gaiety. The 
house, which before its deep-toned cry was perfectly 
silent, save when a smothered laugh was heard, and 
the subdued tones of chattering tongues from some 
of the chambers, now literally thronged with life 
and all its most delightful and hilarious sounds, as 
the gay and young emerged from every quarter of 
the mansion to assemble round the magnificently 
furnished board. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


77 


Rides, walks, excursions on the river, fishing 
parties and hunting varied their amusements by 
day, and during the evening, while the elder por- 
tion of the guests amused themselves with chess or 
the discussion of various interesting topics, the gay 
and youthful enjoyed with great zest the mirthful 
dance, the sparkling wit and repartee of pleasant 
conversation, or strains of enrapturing and well 
executed music. To some minds these sounds 
and mirthful recreations were delightful sources of 
amusement, but to Clavering they were like discord- 
ant strings of music, and grated in harsh numbers 
on his ear. His mind was so intently fixed on one 
subject that all others in comparison seemed to shrink 
into absolute nothingness : he, however, rallied man- 
fully, and performed the part allotted to him by his 
father in an agreeable and dignified manner. The 
precepts of that faith which he would soon adopt in 
a practical manner, and for whose sake he felt 
assured he would be called on to make great sacri- 
fices ere long, taught him also that a patient endur- 
ance of trials was one of the first and best lessons in 
the holy science of religion, and this science he wished 
to learn perfectly with all its attendant humiliations. 
Among the guests were the Hon. Judge Fleetwood 
and lady, the Misses Caldwells, who were both ladies 
of large fortunes, and ranked among the most distin- 
guished of the daughters of Virginia, and a Miss 
Shelton, whose sole design appeared to be to orna- 
ment the parterre of life, and, like a brilliant 


78 


THE STUDENT OF 


butterfly, flit without a care among its flowers ; and 
a Mr. Ambrose Beverly, a gentleman who was 
looked upon as a most eligible match by the 
matrons, and as quite a desirable one by their 
daughters, while his large fortune and splendid 
reputation as a man of talent and genius would 
have been no objection to the ^^most grave and 
reverend seignors,’^ their fathers. 

And yet there were ladies who, having neither 
daughters nor husbands, and being rather in the 
shady declivity of life, could not possibly dream of 
matrimonial affairs, nevertheless set about finding 
out his religious sentiments that they might per- 
chance convert him, if he was not converted, and 
guide him into the right path if he had wandered 
astray ; but, alas ! for curiosity and their excellent 
intentions — all their schemes on this subject failed, 
and they were at last compelled to declare, whenever 
opportunity offered, that he was either a latitudina- 
rian in principle or a papist. 

There were many other distinguished guests among 
the gay company at the Forest,’^ but their names 
have been forgotten among other and more important 
recollections. A short time before their departure 
all of the neighboring gentry had been invited to 
spend the day at Blenheim Forest,” and close the 
evening by a splendid jHe champUre, Everything 
seemed propitious on the occasion — the air was 
balmy, and the night, although there was no moon, 
radiantly clear ; and a more magnificent scene never 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


79 


lit up the banks of the old Kappahannock. The 
mansion looked like an enchanted palace as the 
brilliant lights streamed from every window, and 
its grounds like a glimpse of fairy land. Colored 
lamps and white lustres hung in long and glittering 
vistas among the foliage of the lawn, and constella- 
tions of myriad prismatic lights beamed like jewelled 
stars through the shades of the forest, where tents, 
so covered with evergreens and boughs that they 
looked like natural sylvan retreats, were erected, 
and now brilliantly illuminated ; and in these were 
displayed tables covered with the most costly and 
inviting refreshments, among which clusters of glow- 
ing exotics had been placed, giving to their whole 
appearance a splendid and elegant effect. A party 
of musicians on the shore, with the hautboy, the cor- 
nopean, the French horn and other wind instruments, 
filled the air with their soft melodies, which rose and 
fell with passing wind, and at times died away like 
the strains i ‘l -3Eolian harps. A full band of music, 
stationed at an agreeable distance in the forest, played 
at intervals the most delightful and inspiring airs, 
which came with mellowed harmony on the ear, 
causing each young heart to bound with instinctive 
and accurate time, while to the music of the sweet 
old-fashioned violins their twinkling feet fell noise- 
lessly but merrily on the smooth shaven lawn. 
Some, forgetting the philosophy of life and its 
duller realities, yielded themselves without a thought 
beyolid to the enchantment of the scene; and had a 


80 


THE STUDENT OF 


visitor from another sphere descended among the 
smiling throng, he might have exclaimed, judging 
from outward appearances, here at least mortals 
enjoy unclouded happiness.’^ A few, tired of the in- 
spiring exercise, wandered in cheerful parties through 
the refreshing quiet of the forest aisles. Among 
these. Colonel Clavering and Miss Caldwell, Mr. 
Beverly and Isadora, with ClaVering and Miss Kate 
Shelton, found their way to a romantic and secluded 
spot, which was somewhat elevated, and stood sev- 
eral minutes in silence, listening to the mellowed 
sounds of the distant music which floated in soft 
cadences, like ethereal harmonies, around them, and 
admiring, through an opening in the foliage, the 
beautiful effect of the different colored lights on 
the river, which seemed literally strewn with gems, 
as the crimson, violet, and orange hues twinkled 
among the placid waves. At last Miss Shelton, to 
whom silence was an intolerable bore, exclaimed : 

’Pon honor, Mr. Clavering, Jr., you are the 
most solemn, stately young gentleman I ever saw 
— I really believe you are studying for the min- 
istry.” 

MTiy so. Miss Shelton ? ” asked Clavering, who 
had hitherto resisted successfully all her attempts 
either at persiflage or raillery to draw him into a 
flirtation. 

Oh ! I don’t know exactly, only you look so 
awfully serious sometimes and so profoundly grave, 
that I almost expect to hear you give a whir-a-whoo. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


81 


like that owl that frightened away my wits last 
night. Bless me! Isadora, did you hear it?’^ 
‘^Yes/’ answered Isadora, ^^but it is far from 
being an alarming sound to me.^’ 

“ Oh, I suppose not,^^ cried the thoughtless lady ; 
you are quite as bad as Mr. Clavering; you are 
so romantic.” 

Who, I ? ” exclaimed Isadora : far from it.” 

Well, my dear, if it is not romance to be look- 
ing at the moon and kissing old withered roses, I 
don’t know what is. I saw you and — but bless 
me, where is she — oh ! there she goes towards the 
lawn. I expect she’s quite offended with me. But 
by the by there are one or two things which I am 
determined you shall explain to me, Mr. Clavering. 
Oh ! believe me, I am an expert diviner of all intri- 
cate mysteries, particularly when such a dear friend 
as Isadora is concerned.” 

I fear most seriously, my good Miss Shelton,” 
answered Clavering, glancing uneasily at his father, 
‘''that you will be much disappointed, as I can 
assure you that I have no very intricate secrets 
to be discovered ; ” but the colonel was perfectly 
charmed with his equivoque, as it presented to him 
the most sanguine and pleasing construction. 

“La! Mr. Beverly,” she exclaimed, turning to 
that gentleman, “ they tell me you are one of those 
Puseyites. Miss Betty Wilkins told me so this 
morning.” 

“Ah,” he answered, “I heard yesterday. Miss 
6 


THE STUDENT OF 


Kate, that I was a Catholic — to-claj at dinner a 
Mormon, and now a Puseyite ; really I think among 
the three I ought certainly to get to heaven ! 

^^Oh cried Miss Caldwell, anything on earth 
blit a Catholic — they are so awfully idolatrous/’ 

“ True,” said the colonel approvingly. 

La ! Mr. Clavering,” persevered Miss Shelton, 
maybe you are a Puseyite; I never thought of 
it before. They say they are doing wonders in 
England. Miss Betty read to me this morning that 
they were having popish confessionals put up in 
some of the Episcopal churches. Oh ! you ought 
to have seen the fidget the dear old lady was in.” 

God deliver us,” said the colonel severely, ^^from 
their abominable doctrines, which, if stamped as or- 
thodox by the church of England, will bring the 
church again, without doubt, under the yoke of 
Pome. I for one, in such a case, would join Meth- 
odist or Quaker rather than be drawn into such an 
act ! ” 

My dear Miss Caldwell,” said Mr. Beverly, 
allow me to ask why you think the poor papists 
are so idolatrous ? ” 

Oh ! a thousand reasons. I was at Richmond 
once and visited the Catholic church, and saw with 
my own eyes priest and peoph adoring the bread and 
wine in the sacrament — yes, worshipping it ! ” 

Preposterous,” exclaimed Mr. Beverly, I am 
not a Catholic, but I am perfectly well acquainted 
with their doctrines. The bread which you believed 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


83 


them to be worshipping, Miss Caldwell, and which, 
as you observed, was made in the form of a wafer, 
was the consecrated host, or, in other words, the 
eucharist, which, with the wine contained in the 
chalice, is always offered up at mass, and which 
Catholics believe by the power of God and the virtue 
of the words of consecration to be the real body and 
blood of Christ, still preserving in outward appear- 
ance the natural forms of bread and wine.^^ 

Awful ! shocking ! blasphemous ! was ex- 
claimed by all except Mr. Beverly and Clavering. 

I think,” said Mr. Beverly, “ my discourse 
ought to be brought to a conclusion after such a 
flattering reception.” 

Oh, no — no ! ” they all answered. 

“ No,” replied the colonel ; any explanation of 
any part of their doctrines, particularly on this point, 
only stamps the brand of idolatry with more certainty 
on them. Worshipping bread and wine ! what can 
be more senseless — more idolatrous, when the great 
Creator — God — demands the adoration which is thus 
paid to His creatures.” 

Well,” answered Mr. Beverly, good humoredly, 
I will only quote the opinions of two celebrated 
divines of the church of England on the subject, 
which correspond perfectly with the meaning of the 
Catholic Church. But understand, I am impartial, 
and do it merely to defend the absent, on a point in 
regard to which I believe they are more than half 
right. — ^ Will any papist,’ asks the candid Thorn- 


84 


THE STUDENT OF 


dyke, prebendary of Westminster, ^acknowledge that 
he honors the elements of the eucharist for God? 
Will common sense charge him with honoring that 
in the sacrament which he does not believe to be 
there?’ * And Dr. Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down, 
argues with equal firmness, when he says : ‘ The 
object of their (the Catholics’) adoration in the sac- 
rament is the only true and eternal God, hypostati- 
cally united with His holy humanity, which human- 
ity they believe actually present under the veil of 
the sacrament. If they thought Him not present, 
they are so far from worshipping the bread, that 
they profess it idolatry to do so. This is demon- 
stration that the soul has nothing in it idolatrical ; 
the will has nothing in it but what is the greatest 
enemy to idolatry.’ ” f 

Miss Shelton was engaged sotto voce in earnest 
conversation with Miss Caldwell, relative to the 
respective merits of certain individuals then present 
at the ftte — the colonel yawned as if he was bored 
to death, and Clavering was the only listener the 
generous Mr. Beverly had. 

But really,” said he, this is a subject which is 
exceedingly inappropriate on such an occasion and 
ill such a scene; but the fact is, Mr. Clavering, truth, 
like murder, ^ will out,’ you know.” 

^^Your defence, if I understand you right, my 
dear sir,” said Clavering, “ would have been 


* Just Weights and Measures, c. 19. 
f Liberty of Prophesying, sec. 20. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


85 


extended with equal generosity to any sectarian 
principles which might have been misrepresented 
Precisely/’ said Mr. Beverly, laughing. I 
have quite a mania for taking up the cudgels in 
defence of the absent, indiscriminately. Good, bad, 
and indifferent, I believe, share my good offices 
alike.” 

A kind of a polemical Don Quixote,” said 
Clavering, smiling. 

‘‘Oh, canst thou tell me where I may find a 
Sancho — a trusty squire!” exclaimed Mr. Beverly, 
with such an air of mock anxiety and grief, to Cla- 
vering, that he could not forbear smiling, while he 
sincerely pitied this singularly gifted being who 
made it his religion to defend the doctrines and 
errors of the whole world, without apparently hav- 
ing any idea of discerning or discriminating the 
undying principle, which binds the faithful soul 
to Christ in the bonds of “one faith” and “one 
baptism.” 

“Well, gentlemen,” said Miss Shelton, “is the 
subject disposed of? if so, let us join yon delightful 
throng, whose gaiety offers a most charming contrast 
with this haunted, shadowy looking place, and this 
awfully gloomy conversation ! ” 

“I believe,” said the student, offering her his 
arm, “I inay claim the honor?” 

“ Oh, certainly, and I’ll tell you a secret in the 
bargain.” 

“I am ail anxiety,” replied Clavering, “what 
can it be?” 


86 


THE STUDENT OF 


Some trifling rejoinder was made by Miss Shelton 
as they joined a gay group whose screams of laughter, 
as they approached, announced to her that they were 
kindred spirits with her own. Pale beams were 
dawning in the east, ere the delighted crowd dis- 
persed to seek on their pillows rest and refreshment 
after the night’s dissipation. 

Mrs. Clavering had for some weeks watched her 
son’s countenance with the most intense anxiety, 
and in secret shed many tears at the thought of 
coming sorrows which she knew must necessarily 
close around both herself and him, if he declared his 
sentiments in favor of the Roman Catholic Church. 
She retained all her devotion for her husband, and 
when she thought of the blow that such a disclosure 
would inflict on him, and what discord and gloom 
would exist then, where now all was peace and con- 
fidence — of her child who would, perhaps, be dis- 
inherited and banished from her presence; alas! the 
measure of her woes seemed filling fast. She well 
knew the terrible inflexibility of Col. Clavering’s 
will, when principles of right or conscience were 
involved in a question, and, above all, she knew 
the deep and bitter prejudices existing in his mind 
against her forsaken creed. Would he tolerate for 
an instant the probability that his son — his heir, 
over whose religious education he had so earnestly 
and particularly watched, fearing that he might 
imbibe, with his mother’s milk, her sentiments, 
should embrace a faith which above all others he 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


87 


looked on as sacrilegious and idolatrous ? Her 
heart was torn within her, and her mind kept in 
such a painful state of anxiety, that traces of her 
care soon began to make the same ravages on her 
cheeks, which so painfully marked the beautiful 
and noble features of her son. She had remarked 
with a feeling of relief that the student had seemed 
to throw aside his serious thoughts, and join with 
apparent zest in the gayety around him; and oh, 
weak human nature! perverse heart! at such times 
she would have rejoiced if he had never heard of a 
religion different from that in which he had been 
educated. Human respect ! that vile serpent which 
had cast its trail over the Eden of her heart, almost 
blasting its eternal beauty, had not yet withdrawn 
its venom, and her thoughts, like the waves of a 
stormy sea, ran hither and thither, their natural 
flow turned aside and made the buffet of wild, 
unstable winds. She was to be pitied! For her- 
self, she would not have been thus moved — but the 
idol of her soul! her first-born and only son! how 
could it be borne? The next day, while their guests 
still slumbered undisturbed, the colonel and his 
lady met in the drawing-room, whither they had 
gone expecting to meet some one at least of their 
gay friends. 

"" Good morning, my dear,” said the colonel, 
'"this meeting is quite apropos this morning, I 
assure you. I have been impatiently wishing for an 
opportunity to speak to you about Louis.” 


88 


THE STUDEETT OF 


she asked, anxiously — about Louis? 

have you discovered ? 

The same thing perhaps that you Have — but 
come, Josephine, take my arm, and,” said the 
colonel, offering it, we can consult together about 
the matter — we need not sit down — you know I must 
walk before breakfast, and as we have met so op- 
portunely here, I must beg you to walk with me ! ” 
Certainly, colonel!” she answered, much re- 
lieved by his kind manner — as she laid her arm 
within his, and commenced walking at a brisk pace 
to and fro the length of the large drawing-room, 
while the bright unclouded sunbeams fell through 
the open Avindows in cheerful beauty on the floor, 
and a brisk, fresh breeze came sweeping up from the 
water, giving to their promenade all the zest and 
freshness of out-door exercise. 

Do you know, my dear, I think we had better 
hurry this marriage on as soon as possible — Louis 
looks ill — and Isadora pale and distressed ! ” 

Marriage, my dear colonel ! Louis and Isa- 
dora?” asked Mrs. Olavering, amazed) ‘‘^are they 
to be married ? ” 

Certainly, my dear,” answered the colonel — 
‘^certainly; the whole world expects it.” 

I should be pleased without measure,” said the 
lady, earnestly, if it could be accomplished ; but 
you knoAV that the parties concerned are to be con- 
sulted on so important a matter ! ” 

‘^Oh, as to that,” exclaimed the colonel, ‘^1 


BLENHEIM FOEEST. 


89 


know Isadora's sentiments perfectly well — they are 
as favorable as the most sanguine heart could wish, 
and as to my son, I have watched him closely, and 
am pretty well assured that he is ardently attached 
to her. I believe firmly it is preying on her mind, 
hut he is so immersed in his studies and with those 
hateful, horrid books, that he don^t know himself, 
exactly what ails him ! 

But Mrs. Clavering knew well that concealed love 
had no share in her son^s abstractions, and said 
nothing. 

‘^As all these folks go away to-morrow, con- 
tinued he, “ I’ll have a conference with Louis, and 
get the matter ofi his mind and my own too. ’Fore 
George, it’s enough to break my heart to see the 
fellow looking so — and you too, madam, I do not 
think you look as you used to. You look older by 
five years than you did some few months ago. ” 

am grooving old, my dear,” answered his lady, 
attempting to smile. 

^MVell — well!” replied he, ‘‘when our young 
folks are married and happy we’ll give wrinkles and 
cares to the winds. I shall see Louis to-morrow or 
the day after, to find out the cause of all this, you 
may depend on it.” Just then approaching foot- 
steps and the sounds of talking and laughter an- 
nounced the approach of some of their guests, much 
to Mrs. Clavering’s relief; for she well knew that in 
the interchange of civilities and the discharge of 


90 


THE STUDENT OF 


hospitable duties, the colonel would forget, at least 
for a short time, the subject that so perplexed him. 

The gay party took their departure the next morn- 
ing in the steamboat, which again passed, on her 
route from Baltimore to Fredericksburg, and left 
the little circle at the Forest solitary and almost 
sad. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


91 


CHAPTER IX. 

CHIVALRY AND RELIGION. 

After more mature consideration. Col. Clavering 
thought he would allow things to progress a little 
further without his interference, fondly hoping that 
they would soon disclose to each other their mutual 
regards. It had long been a settled point in his 
own mind that these two gifted beings, whom he 
loved beyond expression, would he some day united, 
and so accustomed was he to complete every arrange- 
ment with an eye referable to this, and to hear his 
neighbors often say, ‘^When your son and ward are 
married,” that if an angel had appeared and told 
him that all these hopes were destined to be de- 
stroyed — that not the smallest probability of their 
accomplishment existed, he would have thrown him 
his glove and told him he lied. He could not how- 
ever, conceive why things progressed so slowly, and, 
after thinking with much perplexity for several days 
and anxious nights on the subject, he came to the 
conclusion that his son was so enrapt in his studies, 
so lost in fields of classic lore and profound thought, 
that he had no idea of the necessity of declaring 
himself to his cousin after the usual conventional 
forms. He could not, however, stand this state of 


92 


THE STUDENT OF 


things any longer; he saw his lady looking care- 
worn and anxious, Isadora pale and uncomplaining, 
his son ill and dejected; and he, in the fulness of 
the subject which now concentrated all his energies 
to one point, imputed all these unusual circum- 
stances to one grand cause, concealment with regard 
to their sentiments on the part of Louis and Isadora, 
and maternal solicitude in Mrs. Clavering, and 
determined to delay no longer the happiness of his 
family, which he was firmly convinced was com- 
promised in the matter. One day, two weeks per- 
haps after the departure of the gay company which 
had lately thronged the mansion, the colonel and 
his son met in the dining-room, and, after exchang- 
ing the salutations of the morning, for it wanted yet 
• some time before the hour of family reunion. Col. 
Clavering, after many vain attempts to make a 
graceful approach to the important subject, all of 
which his son seemed not to comprehend, abruptly 
requested him to meet him at four o^clock in the 
library, as he had something of importance to say 
to him. 

Of very great importance, sir,” continued he, 
which will, I hope, frighten away the imps which 
seem to be bottled up in the hearts of you all.” 

The student expressed his ready acquiescence, all 
dread and uncertainty as to what this formal speech 
could allude to. His mind was however prepared 
for one thing : if this conversation led the way or 
referred at all to the change in his religious senti- 


BLEiq-HEIM FOREST. 


93 


ments, aided by the spirit of fortitude which he had 
not vainly invoked, he at once determined to con- 
ceal them no longer, recollecting that he who 
loved father or mother more than Christ, or was 
afraid or ashamed to acknowledge him before men, 
would be finally rejected with terrible denunciation 
by him, when, clothed in the majestic and awful 
robes of justice, he should appear to pass judgment 
on a trembling world. The young student was no 
enthusiast, but he was earnest and sincere, and pos- 
sessed capabilities of appreciating high and holy 
things in a degree far above the mediocre feelings 
of the generality of mankind, and seemed to possess 
gifts which led him to seek out the way of salvation 
and win heaven as it were with instinctive love, 
without the interference of those evil qualities Rnd 
dispositions which in some hearts keep up such a 
perpetual and spiritual war of tribulation. There 
seemed to be ever glowing in the young many’s 
heart a seraphic spark which consumed from day to 
day all those uncongenial feelings or sentiments 
which might have opposed its steady existence or 
interposed a veil between his soul, his affections and 
hopes, which were all ever soaring heavenward. 
Had it been otherwise with him, in all probability 
trials of a different nature would have dismayed and 
disturbed the repose of his tranquil faith. And yet 
how triumphantly great will be the reward of those 
who plod slowly though surely on towards the goal 
of their everlasting hope ; how brightly will also 


94 


THE STUDENT OF 


glow to them the victor^s crown after the heat and 
toil ” of the day are past ; and how refreshing will 
prove those mansions of peace above, where all is 
rest and peace to those who, in opposition to all 
natural qualities, persevered in patience, penitence 
and humility, until at last, having triumphed, they 
exultingly yield up their souls in hope of a resurrec- 
tion unto eternal life! 

At dinner Clavering made an effort to talk and 
make the conversation general, and., aided by his 
father, who was in unusually high spirits, he suc- 
ceeded. All basked for a moment in this glimpse 
of sunshine, it fell so delightfully bright, and 
coming thus suddenly among them in the midst of 
sadness and shadows, lit up a transient glory in 
each oppressed heart. At the appointed hour Cla- 
vering entered his father^s library, and, drawing a 
chair up to the table at which he sat, awaited with 
some anxiety for him to begin the conference ; but 
the colonel was in a perfect fidget; he opened books 
and shut them again with a slap-bang which made 
everything on the table tremble at the unwonted 
vibration it received; then he seized the morning 
paper, and, looking at it as he held it up-side down, 
hummed a few bars of an old hunting song, then 
dashed it from him; a splendid ink-stand of the 
finest and most delicate porcelain was next taken up 
and tapped with an impatient motion on the table 
until a drop or two of the fluid, stealing over his 
fingers, annoyed him, and, without appearing at all 


BLEl^THEIM FOREST. 


95 


conscious of what he was doing, consigned it to the 
^^tomb of the Capulets,” by pushing it with a 

pshaw! from its fragile stand to the floor. 

^^Dear sir,” said the student, amused in spite of 
himself, ^^you have broken your last new yearns gift 
to Isadora!” 

Isadora,” said the colonel, '"true, true, that is 
the very thing! What do you think of Isadora? tell 
me that, young sir; I will have no more conceal- 
ments — no more heavy hearts about me; come, 
answer me.” 

" Your question is a singular one, sir,” answered 
Clavering with a pang at his heart, " but one which 
I can readily answer.” 

" I dare say,” remarked the colonel, looking slily 
at his son.” 

" My cousin,” he continued, " is one of the most 
amiable persons I ever knew; her virtues, her piety, 
in fact her innumerable good qualities, leaving her 
great external attractions out of the question, place 
her above all praise. I feel sincerely attached 


" That is it exactly,” almost screamed the colonel 
in an ecstasy; "you are attached to her, and she 
reciprocates the sentiment; it is all fixed, and before 
another month rolls over my head. Til have you 
married.” 

"Father! father!” exclaimed Clavering, in a 
voice of such intense anguish that the colonel started 


96 


THE STUHEHT OF 


back and gazed on him with astonishment; dear 
sir, listen to me for a few moments! 

What is it now? thundered the colonel; why, 
sir, you look like a deserter about to undergo the 
penalty of martial law, instead of a man who is on 
the eve of marriage/^ 

‘^"You have made a great mistake; pardon me, 
my respected father, but alas! I do not love Isa- 
dora! 

‘‘You contradict yourself — you,” cried the 
colonel in a voice trembling between surprise and 
rage, “you said but a few moments ago that you 
loved her, and actually raved about her good quali- 
ties, and so on.” 

“ You misunderstood me, sir. I did but give 
Isadora her due, and was about saying that I felt 
for her all that affection ” 

“ Aye, just so,” again interrupted his father. 

“All that affection,” gravely continued Claver- 
ing, “ which I should have extended to a dear sister 
had one been given me. As to entertaining a 
warmer or more devoted sentiment for my cousin, 
although she richly deserves the devotion of a life- 
time in reward for her matchless goodness and kind 
favor, it never was the case and never will be. I 
have never by the slightest token induced her to 
believe that I loved her; never has my conduct 
assumed any other guise than that of a kind brother 
to a dear sister; never,' never have I extended 
towards her any little tenderness of word, look or 


BLE]SrHEIM FOKEST. 


97 


action, by which she could possibly be deceived. 
Sir, I am a Clavering, I should deem myself the 
basest of mankind could I be capable of winning a 
heart and then coldly casting it from me ! 

Sir — sir — you are a fool/^ exclaimed his angry 
father; a double-dyed fool, if you reject the offers 
which I now make you; answer me one question, 
have you become entangled in any affair or engage- 
ment of which your parents are ignorant? 

None, sir,” answered Clavering, rising and fold- 
ing his arms on his breast; ^‘nay, sir,” he said as 
his father motioned him to be seated; it is but fit 
that I should stand, perhaps kneel ere this conference 
is over!” Colonel Clavering was touched by his 
mournful manner, and spoke more kindly. 

From the time, Louis, that Isadora was com- 
mitted to my care, some fourteen years ago, until 
the present moment, I have set my heart on seeing 
you some day or other united. I did hope that my 
last days would be blessed by this marriage, and as 
years passed by I have gazed on you both with tears 
of delight and pride; and when , I, by unfair means 
perhaps, wrung from her the secret of her attach- 
ment for you, had I not reason, sir, had I not reason 
to hope for a consummation of my wishes? ” 

^^You painted our intercourse with the hue of 
your own hopes, dear father! ” said Clavering. 

^^And, sir,” continued the colonel, ^‘has she not 
been pining away, losing the roses from her cheeks, 
and gliding more like a troubled spirit about the 
7 


98 


THE STUDEHT OF 


house, than the bright, and lively being she used to 
be? ^Fore George, sir, if you reject such matchless 
excellence as Isadora's, you are not worthy of your 
name! 

I am grieved — sorely grieved! said Clavering, 
in a low, troubled voice; “your representations 
have deeply pained my already troubled heart/^ 

“Reject not then, the happiness within your 
grasp, persisted his father; “ unite yourself — your 
destinies, your fortune, with one who, above all 
others, is eminently qualified to make you happy, 
Louis; who, as my daughter, would be a solace to 
your father’s age.” A tear rolled down the old 
man’s cheek! 

Spare me, my father, spare me!” exclaimed 
Clavering, profoundly touched. 

“Let us have ho more childish, weak delays. 
Give to the winds all those nonsensical book notions 
which have made an ideal world around yon. Your 
fancies are too high flown for the realities of life, 
and the ideal standard of affections and perfections 
you have raised in your imagination can never be 
attained. Base this affair then on honor — on honor, 
Louis — and common-sense, and propose to Isadora 
without delay. With whom can you expect happi- 
ness if not with her? Does she not kneel at the 
same altar with you ? Is not the religion you both 
profess beautified in her; will you not love it eveii 
more because she, the wife of your choice, Louis, 
sits like a star on 'its forehead? ” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


99 


Clavering bowed his head and covered his face 
with his hands. Should he comply? How could 
he as a gentleman — a man and a Christian — reject 
such a being under such trying and peculiar cir- 
cumstances? Did not the world expect the sacri- 
fice, and could he, by apparently forsaking her, 
expose her, all delicate and shrinking as was her 
susceptible nature, to its scornful finger and jeer- 
ing smile! And his father, who loved him with 
such an absorbing love, whose life was woven in 
with his, who had ever been to him the kindest 
and best of friends, alas! how could he thus disap- 
point and grieve him? After some ten or fifteen 
minutes had elapsed, during which time both father 
and son observed the most profound silence, the 
young student raised his head and revealed a face 
deathly pale, over which manly tears had been 
gushing — tears wrung from the depths of his cTiast- 
ened heart, and with an expression at once sad and 
determined on his noble features, approached his 
father, and bending his knee before him, said: 

‘^Lay your hand on my head, father, and bless 
me! 

The colonel, much astonished and affected, laid 
one hand on his head in benediction, while with the 
other he attempted to raise him from his humble 
posture, but he said: 

Curse me not, father, after you have blessed 
me, but ere I. can comply with your wishes relative 
to Isadora, I must declare to you on my bended 


100 


THE STUDENT OF 


knees, father, in the sight of the great God and his 
angels, that I shall never again kneel at the altars 
you speak of ; never partake again with you in the 
ceremonies of that church to which you are so de- 
voted.” 

‘^What is this, my God!” exclaimed the colonel. 
^^What madness! what delirium! Are you an in- 
fidel? an atheist? that you thus madly throw off 

yy 

“Spare me, father,” said Clavering, who had 
arisen, and was now standing before him; “I am 
neither — I am a Catholic.” 

“ Leave me,” gasped the colonel, who had fallen 
back as if seared by a blast of lightning; “leave me, 
viper, stinging my inmost heart, leave me forever! 
never let me see that accursed — but — but — go, go, 
leave me, or maledictions from my incensed heart 
will wither you. Go, sir! ” he thundered, as his 
son, alarmed at his white, pinched features, made a 
step towards him. 

He left the library, and meeting his mother in 
the hall, whispered, as he rushed past, “Go to my 
father — in the library — he knows all: he is ill! ” and 
continued on until he reached the oratory, where, 
hastily opening the door, he knelt before the shrine, 
and in another moment fell insensible at the feet of 
the Mother of sorrows! thus carrying the thorns that 
crowned his pierced heart, to offer them up in sacri- 
fice to Him who for his sake had known sorrows and 
tasted death. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


101 


CHAPTER X. 

TRIALS. 

Colonel Clavering looking up, and seeing his 
wife standing before him, angrily inquired : Why 
do you come hither? to mock me, to triumph, or to 
congratulate me on my son^s conversion to pop- 
ery ?” 

^^Ah ! neither ; none of these unkind offices have I 

come to fulfil, hut to share the grief which ” 

Stop, madam — no further — for, on my honor as 
a gentleman, I can bear anything but double deal- 
ing. You would console me as a thief would his 
friend, from whom he had stolen his greatest treas- 
ure ! Excuse hard words, madam ; for this day a 
blow has descended on my heart, which has bruised 
it sorely. Tell me,"’* he continued, seizing her hand, 
and speaking sharply, is madness inherent in your 
family? 1 could bear that ; tell me! 

‘^Madness?’’ asked Mrs. Clavering, in much 
alarm ; alas ! no . you look ill, my husband ; here, 
lean on me, and go to your apartment and lie 
down.’^ 

No, I am not ill,^^ he replied, holding himself 
up proudly and erect, and throwing back the almost 
white hair which hung in disorder over his forehead 


102 


THE STUDENT OF 


and temples ; not ill, madam. I have only been 
plucking bitter fruits, that have sprung from a seed 
which I was once mad enough to plant in my heart 
of hearts ; it grew and ripened ; it blossomed, and 
the leaves fell, and its fruits are hitter, hitter.'' Mrs. 
Clavering wept. “ To you, madam, I ought to 
render up my thanks, for blighting the hopes that 
have strengthened with my age, for infusing the 
poison of your idolatrous sentiments into the heart of 
the heir of my name and fortune, making him first 
a mad theorist, then a dull student, and now — out 
upon the word — a papist ! Well might he, with 
such a show of words, refuse the hand of Isadora 
when he knew and you knew — for, doubtless, your 
secret conferences have been many — that I would 
sooner have laid her on her last pillow than on the 
bosom of a papist. I suppose you will next want a 
mass-house put up, and one of your whining priests 
engaged to perform his senseless ceremonies ? 

Colonel Clavering, said the lady, rising 
calmly, and with dignity, reproaches I can bear, 
for your heart is full. I pity you ; but insults ! — 
forbear to insult me ! 

‘‘ True, madam, true,’^ he answered, bowing, a 
gentleman never insults a woman. I will only say 
that, if you have any such notions as these, I beg 
you will wait until I am dead before they are put 
into execution ; and then you and Lou — my — but 
what is this V said he, passing his hand several 
times over his forehead, and gulping down tears 


BLEN^HEIM FOREST. 


103 


which the rising and terrible emotions of his heart 
were sending forth ; I was going to say if you and 
the — and your — oh, my God ! vain is the effort. 
I loved him too well ! My idol is stricken down. 
David! David! where is thy Absalom? Josephine, 
leave me ; forever, if you will. I am a heart-broken 
old man, and must weep ; leave me, and send my 
slave to me, he who has been my friend from child- 
hood ; surely — surely I can trust him. 

Mrs. Clavering thinking it best to humor the ex- 
travagance of his grief for a season at least, left him, 
and despatched her maid after Albert, the coloneks 
servant, and retired to her room, happy to kneel 
and acknowledge, with an humble and subdued 
heart, the chastisements of that heaven she had so 
long insulted, by a pusillanimous relinquishment of 
the consolations and privileges of her religion — a 
religion wherein all things necessary to salvation 
are fulfilled — on whose breast the martyred saints 
rest in peace and light ineffable, and the beautified 
everlastingly shine like jewels of sapphire and dia- 
monds ; where, from the cradle to the grave, on- 
ward and upivard steps are planted, the last link of 
which hangs on to heaven for the soul to tread ; and 
to him who fainteth not in the narrow ascent, an- 
gelic guards are given to aid and support him until 
the last step is made to perfection. The colonel, 
with his man retired to one of a suite of roqms 
which were usually reserved for company, where he 
determined to devote a few hours to solitude and 


104 


THE STUDENT OF 


grief, and the remainder of the night to the adjust- 
ment of certain plans relative to the incidents of the 
last few hours. Old Albert’s intellect was rather 
obtuse, affection for his master being the most ex- 
alted idea he was capable of ; but he discovered that 
something unusual had occurred to distress and af- 
flict him, and with instinctive, though uncultivated 
delicacy, he proceeded to show, in a thousand name- 
less attentions, his respectful sympathy. He soon 
caused everything in the chilled and forsaken apart- 
ment to look comfortable, as he rapidly kindled a 
fire of huge hickory logs, on the hearth, which soon 
blazing with ruddy glare, illuminated every recess 
with its cheerful beams. He drew up a table before 
the genial blaze, and going out, returned with lights, 
his master’s writing implements, and tea and toast, 
the only articles of food he ever tasted at night. 
The colonel was so accustomed to seeing Albert 
move about him, that he did not particularly ob- 
serve him, until the latter, finding that nothing else 
was to be done, stood at a respectful distance look- 
ing, with an anxious and troubled expression, in his 
master’s face. Now the very cessation of the 
sound of footsteps, and the departure of his moving 
shadow and large black hands, that seemed as if 
they could never arrange properly the objects on 
the table beside him, caused him to look up. 

‘iThank’e, Albert — thank’e, my boy,” he said, 
observing, for the first time, the thoughtful old 
negro ; I shall not want you any longer this even- 


^LEi^HEIM FOREST. 


105 


ing. I am perplexed — worried with business. Go 
now, my man, and say to your mistress that I shall 
remain here to-night, as I have writing to do ; you 
can say, too, that I do not wish to be interrupted.^’ 
Albert delivered the message to Mrs. Clavering, 
and, after giving orders to everybody in the house 
to keep quiet, as his mass’ colonel had some werry 
important hisness to transact, and didn’t want to be 
disrupted,” returned to take his stand near his 
master’s room-door, that he might be prepared, like 
a faithful sentinel, to attend his commands on the 
slightest notice. Here he watched until night wore 
on, and the hours glided by, and he heard the last 
footsteps of the retiring domestics, and the final 
closing up of doors and windows. He felt lonely in 
that long, dark passage, and began to think of Obi 
and all his frightful train of spectres. Now came the 
wind sighing mournfully past, shaking with fitful 
and tremulous motion the branches of a tree against 
a window near him, anon the house dogs howled, dis- 
turbed by the wind or a falling leaf, and slept again, 
and again roused up and whined piteously, then 
crept back uneasily to their kennels ; he began, too, 
to hear heavy groans, and broken sentences, and 
rapid footsteps in his master’s room ; and now, at 
the upper extremity of the passage, he saw — yes, 
certainly, a light glimmering on towards him; with 
eyes strained and starting, and uplifted hands, the 
old negro gazed in terror, until he saw that a being, 
pale and solemn, bore the light; then with a loud 


106 


THE STUDENT OF 


cry, he bounded against Colonel Clavering’s door, 
and besought him to open it. It was promptly and 
hastily opened, and Albert fell, or rather rolled in 
at his master’s feet, having in his fright mistaken 
Louis, who had been spending some .hours in the 
oratory, for Obi. The colonel was touched when he 
found for what purpiose his servant had stationed 
himself at his door, and after gently chiding him 
for his cowardice, made him lie down on a chamber 
sofa and taking down a cloak of his own, which 
happened to be hanging in the room, threw it over 
the abashed and terrified slave. Lie down, Al- 
bert — lie down, sir. Come, you know I will be 
obeyed, if I should command you to spend the re- 
mainder of the night in this bedstead instead of 
the sofa you are on — so be quiet! ” Alarmed at the 
idea of being put in the lofty and elegant bedstead, 
he quickly settled himself, and, drawing his knees 
up to his chin, his deep sonorous breathings, ere 
long, gave evidence that his repose was welcome and 
sweet, after his unusual vigils. 

The morning sun rose, clear and beautiful, on the 
earth, shining down, in calm and triumphant glory, 
as if no shadows ever fell over the hearts of those he 
beamed upon. But in one spot, one beauteous spot, 
where the diamond hues of his light were ever en- 
shrined in exquisite setting of lovely foliage or 
flowers dripping with dew, or filagree frost-work, 
wrapped in fantastic traceries around the ever- 
greens, in this bright spot there were hearts heavily 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


107 


laden and stricken. Colonel Olavering had written 
a few lines to his lady, requesting herself and son, 
with Isadora, to meet him after breakfast in the 
family drawing-room, and directed Albert to lay the 
note on Mrs. Clavering’s plate. She had seen her 
son the pre.ceding night, and heard from him all 
the details of the painful scene that had occurred 
between his father and himself, and, now that the 
crisis had come, she determined, with God’s aid, to 
be true to herself, and, without shrinking from the 
storm that lowered over her head, stand boldly forth 
and declare herself unalterably, and unequivocally, 
a Roman Catholic. There was a sad group in that 
drawing-room. Mrs. Clavering, in her accustomed 
place, sat gazing thoughtfully on her son, who stood 
leaning on the mantle-piece, in silent and painful 
meditation. Isadora was sitting at the centre table, 
looking with pretended interest over some small 
books that lay on it, and brushing off, furtively, 
tear after tear, as they filled her eyes and wet her 
heavy silken eye-lashes. The colonel soon entered, 
and bowed, with polite and distant dignity, to his 
lady, then approached Isadora, and, drawing a chair 
up to the table by her, kissed her on the forehead as 
be seated himself, calling her by the endearing name 
of ^^my child,” and addressed her in the kindest 
and most tender manner. He opened a small pack- 
age which he had brought with him, and drew forth 
several papers which were closely written, and 
spread them on the table in the calmest and most 


108 


THE STUDENT OF 


business-like manner possible, and when everything 
was arranged to his satisfaction, he said quietly 
turning to his son: have been trying most ear- 

nestly to think that the occurrences of the last few 
hours are the effects of distempered imagination; I 
did feel ill for a short time; that passed off; but 
this meeting, and the gloomy faces I see around me, 
stamp it all with reality." 

Yes, sir, — ^reality," answered the young student, 
firmly. 

‘^Well, reality if you will. I have concluded, 
however, to make a last effort to save and redeem 
you from the slavery and bondage under which it 
seems you have placed yourself." Olavering bowed 
without speaking, and his father continued : ‘‘1 will 
not attempt polemics ; you are a better theologian 
than I, and more deeply versed in such matters, and 
would anticipate all I might say. As to your wan- 
derings into the mazes of popery, they amaze, they 
confound me ; but I fondly fiatter myself that you 
have fallen to rise again more than ever confirmed 
in the religion of your fathers." 

My respected father," interrupted Clavering, — 

‘^Nay — nay, sir; hear me out," said the colonel; 
‘‘1 have a proposition to make you which I trust 
— I am sure, you will accede to. In a few days I 

expect Bishop M here for a short time, on his 

way to the South for the winter. As you know 
well, he is a profound theologian, and a man emi- 
nently qualified by his piety and gentlemanly man- 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


109 


ners to remove by his influence and learned argu- 
ments all those false notions which you, like a Ger- 
man visionar}^, have taken up. I wish you to travel 
one year with him; give him fair opportunities of 
discussing this question with you, and if at the ex- 
piration of that time you are convinced of your 
error, and return to the fold of that church which 
you are so madly leaving, here is a deed which I 
will place in your hands, when you return, consign- 
ing to your sole control one hundred thousand dol- 
lars, one of my richest plantations, and several val- 
uable slaves, with my unqualified consent to marry 
the object of your choice, whoever she may be; but 
if on the contrary you refuse to accede to these my 
propositions, it is my will that you leave my pres- 
ence at once and for ever, never to return; for 
never shall I wish again to see your face over 
the threshold of my house — never. Consider well, 
young man; this is a serious matter.’^ Clavering 
closed his eyes and grew deadly pale; he trembled 
and was compelled to sit down; he looked at his 
mother and saw her countenance writhing with 
anguish, and felt at once the full extent of the mis- 
ery and loneliness he was bringing on the once happy 
home. Isadora too bowed her head and listened 
with strained ears to hear his decision, feeling but 
too keenly that she was in some way to assist at the 
sacrifice. 

""Father,” he at last said, slowly and emphati- 
cally, ""I thank you most earnestly for your kind 


110 


THE STUDENT OF 


and considerate offers. Allow me to declare to you 
that my affection, my obedience, my duty, are in a 
double measure yours. I am ready, if it were nec- 
essary, to lay down my life for you, so grateful am 
I for all your past care and kindness, and, last of 
all, for the splendid offers which you have in all 
good conscience and faith made me. It would be 
useless, indeed folly, for me to place myself under 

the theological guidance of Bishop M now, 

when, for several years past, I have been studying 
with persevering and untiring assiduity the very 
course of theology which he himself directed, and, 
with all due deference to his intelligence, piety, his 
simple and unostentatious manners and gentle- 
manly and dignified bearing, I profess myself, with- 
out the least arrogance, fully qualified to antici- 
pate and triumphantly refute* every argument that 
he could advance against the tenets of the Roman 
Catholic church. I must, therefore, my dear father, 
after thanking you again and again most humbly for 
your kindness, decline these offers, and, with a con- 
science at peace with Almighty God, though a sorely 
wounded heart, I am ready to go forth from my 
home, penniless and friendless, rather than make 
the slightest compromise with the religious doc- 
trines which I have with good reason forsaken.” 

^^It is well, sir,” replied Colonel Clavering, 
calmly; your decision is made?” 

It iSf sir.” 

Reflect calmly and dispassionately, young man; 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


Ill 


there is yet time. Can you give up all, and bring 
the gray hairs of your parents in sorrow to the grave 
— strew thorns in their pathway — shed gloom and 
woe around their forsaken hearts? Think well, 
Lou is, said Colonel Clavering. 

I have counted the cost, sir,^^ his son answered; 

I give up all. The splendor of earthy’s riches or 
the love of devoted parents or sincere friends could 
not accomplish my salvation; neither could they 
redeem my soul if lost; therefore I reject all, leave 
all — parents, friends, wealth, standing, reputation, 
and luxuries, and embrace, for the sake- of Christ 
and his truth, the most humbling confusion, which 
will win for me after death peace — which will raise 
me from dishonor to honor, from mortality to immor- 
tality. Yes, my decision is made.” 

Sir,” said Mrs. Clavering to her husband, un- 
able any longer to bear the harrowing scene, and 
rising in great emotion, — can you thus cast from 
your heart and home your only child, and heap 
maledictions on his head because he sees fit and 
finds it necessary to his salvation to change his 
creed? By what right is this done? After death, 
should he fail in this essential act, a partial parent 
will not be his judge or his protection, but a stern 
and awful God — a jealous God. Why this untiring 
hatred to the name of Catholic? You surely forget 
that you once looked on them with sufficient good 
faith to choose the wife of your heart from among 
the most pious and practical of that faith.” 


112 


THE STUDENT OF 


Woman, silencel^^ exclaimed Colonel Claver- 
ing; prate not to me of faith or religion or creed! 
I might respect your words if you had ever in the 
slightest manner evinced any consistency in your 
conduct respecting your religion. You might, 
madam, at least have caused me to respect, although 
I never could have believed it; but instead of this 
— instead of clinging to it as that which was to save 
your soul — why, you shook it from you — you 
weighed interest and love in one scale and your faith 
in another, and, by heaven, so heavy was the 
worldly weight and so light your eternal concerns 
that the beam kicked the sky. Oh! out, out, on 
such a religion which has so little inducement for 
its votaries as this.^^ 

^^Alas!” cried Mrs. Clavering, weeping; ^‘1 de- 
serve all you can say — it is too, too true; but here- 
after, so help me heaven and God, I hug it to my 
heart — I kneel at the feet of my forsaken religion, 
and, if contrition and penitence and the deepest re- 
morse can restore me to her smile, I shall die yet 
with the sign of faith on my brow. Not only this. 
Colonel Clavering, although a weak love, yes, a 
weak unworthy love, and, mayhap, regard for human 
opinion, made me conceal and keep silent my senti- 
ments, I have never, never forgotten the church in 
which for generations my fathers have lived and 
died. I have always been a Catholic at heart, and 
now that it has come to this, I declare myself one, 
and am ready with my child to sacrifice everything 


BLEi^HEIM EOKEST. 


113 


rather than live as I have lived, meanly and traitor- 
ously preferring bonds and slavery to freedom and 
peace,” 

The young student, with a flushed brow and fal- 
tering step, left the room. 

I doubt much, madam, if you would ever 
have uttered this tirade if your love for your son 
had not overbalanced every other consideration. 
He is worthy of you, madam. Now, my child, 
my only child,” said Colonel Clavering, taking the 
hand of the weeping and almost fainting Isadora in 
his own, his lips quivering notwithstanding all his 
efforts to appear calm; I have a few words for you: 
deceived by appearance and my own doting fondness 
for him on whom I once looked as the darling of my 
age — deceived by hopes which for years I had been 
building and painting with illusive hues, I wrung 
from you the secret of your preference for him, be- 
lieving that it was returned ten-fold; but, my child, 
we are both forsaken, and you must cling to the 
poor childless old man! Here are papers which will 

put you in possession of ” 

My dear uncle,” said she, rising with dignity 
and sweetness, and gently putting back his hand as 
he held some business-like documents towards her, 
excuse me — I cannot receive them; I do not feel 
well, and if you and my dear aunt will excuse me, I 
will retire to my apartment.” 

There was a cold, pallid tint on her cheeks, and a 
trembling motion about her pale lips that plainly 
8 


114 


THE STUDENT OF 


told of internal and soul-felt anguish. After she 
left the room, the colonel handed a small bundle to 
his lady, and said : As your son bears my name, 

I cannot let him go into the world penniless ; this 
bundle contains notes to the amount of eight or ten 
thousand dollars ; give it to him. I shall remain in 
my room until he leaves this house, and recollect, 
madam, I am not to be disturbed.’^ 

“ Oh, my God! my God! exclaimed Mrs. Claver- • 
ing, falling on her knees and clasping her hands ; 

humble me; do with me as thou wilt; but forsake 
me not ; aid me by thy grace in this trial which has 
in it to my soul all the bitterness of death ! 

The colonel turned as he was leaving the apart- 
ment, and looked for an instant on his wife ; again 
made a step onward and faltered, while his face, 
sympathizing with the agony that was tugging at 
his heart-strings, grew pale and red by turns. His 
wife, thinking she would make one more effort in 
behalf of her child, stretched out her arms towards 
him, and cried in a tone of piercing agony : Save 

our child, for I tell you his days are numbered ; 
send him not away in anger ; if you do, you will 
never behold him again, I know it — oh! I know it. 
Recall your words. Colonel Clavering ; send him if 
you will for a season — a year — two years — but say 
not forever! The colonel, unable to support his 
trembling frame any longer, fell heavily on a chair 
near which he stood, and would have become insen- 
sible if tears, those angels of the heart, had not 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


135 


gushed in torrents from his eyes. Mrs. Olavering 
was in an instant at his side pleading in a low 
broken voice for her child, and now came another — 
Isadora — to kneel at his feet, and, with her seraphic 
face, tearless but radiantly pale, and her large per- 
fect eyes, shining with holy beams, raised to his, 
she prayed for him who had thrown dark shadows 
over her heart. 

Colonel Clavering became more calm, and he 
looked with a more relenting and softer expression 
on his lady, and gradually extended his hand 
towards her in token of peace. I cannot, Jose- 
phine, I cannot forgive him! You have the in- 
stincts of nature and education to plead in extenua- 
tion of your error, but he has nothing. 

‘^But, dear uncle, father,” whispered Isadora, 
“ his health is failing ; this harshness, while it 
drives your only son from your bosom, recalls him 
not from his error. The very chivalry of his nature, 
even putting aside more holy incentives, will ^make 
him endure exile and death itself for the sake of 
what he deems a principle of right ; persecution to 
a mind so exalted as his only gives it a fresh impetus 
towards the attainment of the object for which it 
has suffered. Then forbear, dear uncle ; you love 
your child, ah! yes, well do I know that his perfect 
image is enshrined in the holiest recess of your heart; 
pluck it out, and wounds will fester there unto 
death.” 

Enough, Josephine ; enough, Isadora ; he must 


116 


THE STUDENT OF 


leave my presence : I could not bear to look on that 
which has so fearfully wounded me! Bid him go 
and remain until at least I c-an accustom my heart to 
think on it — then return, but expect no more than 
the coldest politeness from me, nor do I ever wish 
any other than the most distant civility from him.” 
He left the apartment, and Mrs. Clavering drew 
Isadora to her bosom and held her in a long embrace, 
bathing her face with tears as she lay like an infant 
on her breast, while the noble self-sacrificing girl 
or rather woman now uttered words of consolation 
and peace, to her who should rather have poured the 
oil of hope and comfort into the shattered urn of her 
stricken heart. But so it is. Life is filled with 
stranger things than this! What is woman’s love 
but a spirit of endurance and devotion next akin to 
that eternal inspiration which exalts man to the an- 
gelic state ; forgiving and ready to sacrifice, feeling 
no hatred or malice, though the heart may be 
rudely pierced with an abiding anguish! 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


117 


CHAPTER XL 

NEW SCENES — NEW FRIENDS AND THE ^^ANGELUS.^^ 

Clavering, in his new and strange position, felt 
troubled and perplexed, and for several days was 
so ill, from the excitement of the last few months, 
that he was unable to leave his room. During this 
interval, he endeavored to make some arrangements 
respecting his future course and place of abode; but 
events had succeeded each other so rapidly, and sen- 
tence of banishment so unexpectedly pronounced on 
him, tliat he felt bewildered and unable to come to 
any definite conclusion, until the Rev. Mr. Aylmer^s 
letter recurred to his memory, and, like a star, di- 
rected his course. He determined to proceed with- 
out delay to Baltimore, and his mother, who had 
watched day and night beside him with the most 
tender solicitude, proceeded with much satisfaction, 
to write at once to a friend of her mother^s, who 
was still alive and residing in that city, and commit 
her son and his affairs to her maternal care. His 
mind being somewhat relieved as to his future pros- 
pects, he felt stronger and better, and requesting 
his mother to have his books and clothing arranged 
in his travelling trunk, determined to take passage 
the next day in the steamer Rappahannock,’^ which 


118 


THE STUDEHT OF 


would pass on her route to Baltimore. He made an 
effort, through Mrs. Clavering, to see his father, but 
the colonel was inexorable and would not receive 
him; so, leaving hi§ kindest and most dutiful re- 
gards for him and a message for Isadora, he departed 
from the house next morning early accompanied by 
his mother and two servants carrying his baggage. 
Just as the steamboat gracefully turned a bend in the 
river, and swept majestically in sight. Day had 
not long dawned, and, by the gray, sombre light, 
every object looked dim and cheerless around the 
beloved home; and the forest trees — those dear old 
friends whose kindly boughs had so often sheltered 
him in his boyish sports from the noontide heat — 
the verdant lawn, and each familiar haunt, were 
almost concealed by a dense mist. He saw the 
taper’s light gleaming from his father’s window, and 
the white draperies undisturbed at Isadora’s case- 
ment; no shadow flitted across either; no loving 
face peered anxiously out with tearful glances to 
wish him God-speed, and he felt himself forsaken by 
those two, and uncared for by them who had been 
always accustomed to wish him a happy voyage and 
speedy return, amid smiles and tears and affection- 
ate waving of the hands as long as he could discern 
objects on the shore. Shadows were stealing over 
his heart, and bitter tears fllled the student’s eyes, 
while Mrs. Clavering, whose arm lay within his, felt 
a convulsive shudder pass through his frame. Many 
of the slaves, having heard a thousand vague ru- 


BLEi^HEIM FOREST. 


119 


mors of his departure and its probable cause, had 
assembled and thronged the shore to receive a last 
kind word and look from one, who though holding 
the position of a master to his vassals towards them, 
had been their untiring friend in sickness and health 
— their counsellor and protector in difficulties — the 
play-fellow of some and the beloved of all. Hard 
was it for those humble but faithful friends to be- 
lieve that he who was so good, so amiable and kind 
to every living thing, deserved the harsh sentence 
that had been pronounced on him, and as Olavering 
turned to say a word of farewell to each, as they 
stood with their heads uncovered, silent and respect- 
ful, tears coursed each other over their dark cheeks, 
and many a brawny chest heaved with emotion ; but 
the time had now come when he must leave all ! 
The usual signal having been made, the steamer 
hove to, and a boat, which had been quickly 
manned, rapidly approached the landing to convey 
Clavering and his baggage on board. 

He clasped his mother once more in a tender em- 
brace, and, kissing away her fast falling tears, 
jumped into the little boat and was soon on board 
the Eappahannock,’^ which now proceeded gayly 
on, cutting the waters on whose bosom the first 
beams of the rising sun glistened into a thousand 
glittering fragments. A loud wail of unrepressed 
and uncontrollable lamentation rose from the shore, 
and Olavering saw that his mother had fallen insen- 
sible in the arms of her women, while the poor 


120 


THE STUDENT OF 


slaves, finding that he had really left them, filled 
the air with their cries and prayers that he would 
soon return. Colonel Clavering started from his bed 
as the piercing sound reached his ears, and de- 
manded of Albert what was the meaning of it. 
After some hesitation, he replied : 

Young master, sir, is just gone away, and I 
heered the people say last night as how they were 
gwine down to the shore dis morning-. 

‘‘Enough, enough sir,^^ said his master, sharply, 
creeping back to his pillow with a shuddering agony 
at his heart. 

After some hours^ pleasant voyage. Clavering 
found himself in Baltimore hurrying along its prin- 
cipal thoroughfare, under the guidance of a porter, 
to his hotel. Here, jostled by strange and unfa- 
miliar ‘ beings, he felt indeed all the loneliness and 
solitude of a stranger, and this was a dreary feeling 
to come home to the heart of one who had never met 
a cold glance, or careless, unloving, or unfriendly 
look before. Ho heart sprang forth to clasp his 
hand with responsive greeting, and every being who 
was hurrying along the crowded street, except him- 
self, was perhaps hastening to a home, which, hum- 
ble though it might be and poor, and mayhap de-^ 
graded, was still a home where the weary, and those 
buffeted by the world might claim rest and peace—- 
but he, alas ! an outcast, and exile from the haunts 
of his childhood, the home of his heart’s holiest af- 
fections, thrust away from the sight of an incensed 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


121 


parent — the comparison was too galling, and Claver- 
ing, man as he was, experienced a faintness at his 
heart, and felt bitter tears filling his eyes. 

It is well for those who have homes and ties and 
comforts, and live daily under a roof tree whose 
branches are filled with refreshment and peace, to 
think of the stranger; he is always with us — forget 
him not! Extend towards him some little courtesy, 
some act of friendly kindness, and speak gentle and 
friendly words, for his heart may perhaps be sore 
from recent and deep wounds — avert not your eye 
from his pale, anxious face, but with soft and gentle 
beams let it rest on him to light up his solitude. 
The first and keenest pangs were over — farewell 
words had been spoken, and wishes filled with hope 
amid much tribulation uttered, and tears wrung 
from the innermost depths of the maternal heart 
been shed! And this was all! Lifers anguish, its 
separation and fears! But do not these, like the 
rod which once smote a desert rock, bringing forth 
from its cold bosom streams of refreshing water to 
cool the fevered lips of weary wanderers, do not 
these bruises of the heart ofttimes touch the soul, 
over whose immortal disc earthly things have spread 
a dim, hard surface, and, from secret springs, not 
yet exhausted, bring forth gushing waters of life to 
invigorate its fainting energies, until its onward 
march is steady and unfaltering towards eternal 
rest! 

The next day, consulting the Directory, and find- 


122 


THE STUDENT OF 


ing out the locality of the Rev. Mr. Aylmer and 
Mrs. Botelar^s respective residence. Clavering called 
a carriage, and ordered the driver to convey him to 
the house of the latter, which was situated in the 
upper part of Carleton street. Learning from the 
servant that his mistress was at home. Clavering 
sent in his card, and, in a very few moments re- 
ceived a message begging him to alight and walk in. 
The house was large and handsome, and among the 
gaudy modern buildings which had sprung up 
around it with their red fronts, innumerable win- 
dows of plated glass, marble steps almost as wide as 
the houses to which they belonged, set off with elab- 
orately carved iron railings and glaring brass knobs, 
Mrs. Botelar’s mansion looked old and respectable — 
its large and antiquated windows, the well preserved 
window shutters, its sober looking front and unos- 
tentatious entrance on which hung a large plated 
knocker, gave undoubted evidence of the character 
and standing of its inmates. The respectable and 
gray headed negro who had for many years been the 
confidential servant of the family, with a polite and 
quiet demeanor, conducted Clavering along and 
ushered him into a spacious and well furnished 
drawing-room. A lady, who had probably passed 
her sixtieth year was seated by the fireside in an 
arm-chair of carved ebony. A work-stand, under- 
neath which stood a large work-basket filled with 
evidences of industry, was by her side, from which 
she had just taken a garment of some description 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


123 


and handed it to a sweet looking girl who was seated 
at her feet. A cap of the finest and thinnest mus- 
lin covered her head, but did not conceal her hair, 
which was of the most silvery whiteness, and lay 
parted on her noble forehead, like wreaths of snow. 
Her eyes were large and dark; their lustre softened 
but not dimmed by age; her nose high and finely 
formed, and her mouth, which, though unadorned 
by the pearls that once glistened there, still re- 
tained in its good formation and great sweetness, 
traces of beauty. A rich black satin dress, fitting 
high in the neck, and falling open to the waist, dis- 
played a spotless shawl of the finest India muslin 
laid in graceful folds over her breast, beneath which 
a small diamond cross, the only ornament she wore, 
could be seen glancing, like half concealed beams of 
light, from her bosom. The sleeves of her dress 
were tight, but it was very evident they were not 
made to correspond with the prevailing fashion of 
the day, for they did not extend down to her wrists, 
but only a little way below the elbows, and her 
arms were concealed by finely plaited linen cambric 
ruffles dependent from them, and short black silk 
mittens. The skirt of her dress was long and very 
full, and over it she wore an apron of the whitest 
and most transparent muslin edged round with rich 
old-fashioned lace. In fact, as Clavering glanced 
on her from head to foot, while exchanging the 
compliments of the morning with her, he thought 
he had never seen a more perfect picture of elegance. 


124 


THE STUDENT OF 


or a face and form more sanctified by the touches of 
time. 

^^Mr. Clayering — Louis Clavering/^ she said, 
looking at him earnestly through her glasses; '^no 
doubt, my dear sir, I have had the honor of your 
acquaintance before, but I am getting old, as you 
perceive, and must be excused if I do not exactly 
recollect.'’^ Clavering smiled, and handed her his 
mother^s letter, saying: 

^‘This letter from my mother, madam, will ex- 
plain all those things, if you will oblige me by open- 
ing it at once.^^ 

She looked at him again for an instant with a per- 
plexed expression, saying in a low voice: 

I ought to remember that smile, broke the seal, 
and glancing hastily over the first few lines, ex- 
claimed: ^^From the child of the dearest friend I 
ever had, and is it possible that you, young sir, are 
the son of Josephine Weldon? It is very strange 
that I did not recollect the name of the gentleman 
she married, at once.” Again she read — then again 
raised her eyes, now suffused with tears, and scanned 
his features, and, while her countenance expressed 
the deepest emotion, she reached out her hand, and 
taking his with a gentle and affectionate pressure in 
her own, proceeded to read the letter. Olavering 
was touched — the very music of his soul was moving 
in sweet and harmonious measures to the influence 
of this heart-felt and sincerely kind reception. As 
Mrs. Botelar read of his conversion, and his father’s 


BLEKHEIM EOREST. 


125 


inexorable anger which had driven him from his 
home and the presence of that mother who idolized 
him, her tears flowed freely, and, laying down the 
letter an instant, she arose, and, putting her arms 
around the child of her friend, kissed his forehead 
and said, in a voice rich with the mingled emotions 
of her heart : 

‘^Welcome! thrice welcome, Louis! beloved as 
thou art of heaven — chosen in a wonderful manner 
to enter within the shelter of its own fold — I take 
you to my heart as my own son ; henceforth my 
home shall be yours/^ 

Dear madam,” he replied, raising her hand with 
profound veneration to his lips, already feel as if 
I had found a second mother. I thank you — thank 
you most gratefully ! ” 

And now she read of Mrs. Clavering^s repentance, 
expressed in sentiments of deep and sincere contri- 
tion, the very paper on which she had written being 
blistered with penitent tears, and, raising her eyes 
heavenward, folded her hands together and remained 
for awhile in mute and rapt communion with her 
own heart and God. Mrs. Botelar refolded the let- 
ter and placed it in a small enamelled case which 
she drew from her pocket. 

^^And now, my son,” said she, remember you 
are committed to my care — you leave my home no 
more. Nay, Louis, say not a word to oppose it ; I 
have a room that will suit you exactly, and shall not 
rest until I see you settled in it. My dear,” said 


126 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


she to the young girl, giving her a bunch of keys ; 
^^here, take these to Mammy Dorothy, and tell her 
to make everything comfortable in the front cham- 
ber, and tell Thomas to come to grandmother di- 
irectly/^ The pretty creature received the keys and 
flitted from the drawing room, trying sedulously to 
hide her eyes beneath the long curls which hung in 
luxuriant masses around her head ; she had seen for 
the flrst time in her life her grandmother weep, and 
the strange sad-looking gentleman had also brushed 
heavy tears from his cheeks, and is it wonderful that 
she should have been moved ? Oh no ! tears for 
tears and smiles for smiles, is the currency of child- 
ish hearts. 

cannot, my dear Mrs. Botelar, I cannot bear 
the idea of giving you trouble by adding another in- 
mate to your family. I know you will forgive me if 
I decline your most kind offers. I do assure you 
that the liberality of my father has placed every 
comfort within my reach.” 

“Exactly, my dear,” replied the lady; “but can 
the thousands he has given you, and of which Jose- 
phine in her letter informs me, give you a mother^s 
care ? ” 

“Alas ! no,” said Clavering, sadly. 

“Which care,” continued Mrs. Botelar, “I see 
you very much need — you are not well, my dear ; I 
do not like that crimson flush on your cheeks ; 
come, come, give up to an old woman who cannot 
endure contradiction! And you see,” said she, be- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


127 


coming grave and melancholy, I lost a son about 
your own age some years ago ; I want some one to 
fill up the vacancy his death has made in our little 
circle. Can you refuse me now? ’’ 

Dear madam, you overwhelm me with kindness 
which I do not merit.” Just then Thomas, the old 
negro, who had received Clavering when he first 
came, entered the room. 

Tom,” said the lady to him, ‘‘ I sent for you to 
go down immediately with your boy and inquire at 
Barnum^s for Mr. Louis Clavering^s baggage ; here,” 
handing him Clavering’s card, give this to Mr. 
Donnelly, who attends to all these matters, and tell 
him 1 sent you, and when you get the baggage bring 
it here. This gentleman, Tom, is the grandson of 
Madame Weldon, an old friend of mine many years 
ago.” The old man bowed respectfully to Claver- 
ing, saying that he remembered Madame Weldon 
perfectly. 

^^And, Tom,” continued Mrs. Botelar, ‘‘hence- 
forth he is my son. Business of importance brings 
him to Baltimore, and I will not consent that he 
make his home elsewhere than in my house.” 

“Very glad, madam, very glad, young master 
- Clavering ; hope, sir, as you’ll find our house agree- 
able.” Clavering, a little amused, held out his 
hand, which the old negro respectfully touched, and 
thanked him for his kind wishes. He was too much 
accustomed to the peculiar ways and manners of old 
family servants to feel surprised at Tom’s expressing 


128 


THE STUDENT OF 


himself as he did, so he received his little act of 
courtesy as politely as it was offered. Finding it 
was useless to say anything further in opposition to 
Mrs. Botelar’s design, he bade her good morning, 
and, after promising to return that evening, pro- 
ceeded to the residence of Father Francis, which 
was not more than a half a square distant from Mrs. 
liotelaFs, and considered himself truly fortunate 
when, on sending in his card, he was instantly 
admitted to his presence. In a well-furnished li- 
brary sat Father Francis, near a table covered with 
books, manuscripts, and papers. His dress, which 
consisted of a black cassock confined around the 
waist by a leathern girdle, from which depended a 
full rosary and a crucifix, corresponded well with 
the dignity of his tall and rather embonpoint person 
and the perfect repose of his quiet and dignified 
manner. His fine head was concealed by the black 
cap of his order which he wore, but his high bald 
forehead, and the hair slightly touched by time 
which fell on his temples and shoulders, gave a ven- 
erable expression to his whole appearance, which 
would have rendered it almost stern had it not been 
for an ineffable sweetness which absolutely illumined 
his countenance when he smiled, and robbed its as- 
pect of everything approaching to severity or harsh- 
ness. He arose and extended his hand in the most 
kind and paternal manner to Clavering, who, after 
they were seated thanked him in well chosen but 
concise terms for the books he had so promptly for- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


129 


warded, and which had been productive of such 
decided results. He soon glided into an easy and 
pleasant conversation, discussing with the good cler- 
gyman, who led the way, the news of the day and 
certain occurrences that had been productive of 
much party strife among the people; then literature 
became the topic of discourse. Here Clavering was 
at home; culling strains from old Homer, quoting 
passages from the eloquent pages of Sophocles and 
Pindar, and the more elegant inspirations of Dante 
and numberless others whose names adorn the pin- 
nacle of fame ; the moments passed rapidly by, and 
he talked and listened with enthusiasm. His mod- 
est and retiring nature, which generally shrunk 
from display or pedantry, under the benign influence 
of the good fa therms happy manner appeared for- 
gotten, and he talked without reserve and expressed 
his opinion on high literary questions in a clear and 
unembarrassed manner. Father Francis could awe 
when necessity required it; of this certain lines 
about his Arm and expressive lips told an observant 
eye, but with a simplicity and elegance of manner 
peculiar only to highly gifted and polished minds, 
he could make those who were inferior to him in the 
attributes of mind and genius, forget his own supe- 
rior intellect and reveal without restraint their nat- 
ural or acquired talents. Clavering felt this influ- 
ence, and, while it fascinated and charmed, did not 
awe him, but in the midst of mutual quotations and 
pleasant critiques, during which he was completely 
9 


130 


THE STUDENT OF 


won by the urbane manner of Father Francis, the 
stroke of a mighty bell pealed near them. Claver- 
ing started in dismay, for so close did it seem to his 
ear that the concussion of sound for an instant 
stunned him; he looked around in wonder, not com- 
prehending what it could mean, when he saw Father 
Francis arise and cross himself with the sign of sal- 
vation, kneel, and pray. Clavering also knelt, and, 
seeing before him a painting of the thorn crowned 
head,” prayed for mercy and pardon. The bell 
thundered forth its deafening peals, three times 
three; then came a pause; again it sounded twelve 
heavy distinct strokes and ceased. They arose, and 
Father Francis remarked, pleasantly: I am not 
surprised, Mr. Clavering, that you started at the 
sound of the Cathedral bell. For weeks after my 
removal here, I could not hear it without a momen- 
tary shudder, and sometimes, when it would come 
booming on my ear in a moment of deep study, I 
have been almost stunned and surprised into forget- 
fulness of the Angelus Domini; but that, like all 
other novelties of sound or sight when they become 
familiar, has from use ceased even to sound too 
loud.” 

I was not aware, sir, that it rang for the Ange- 
lus Domini. I have seen this prayer frequently 
mentioned, but cannot say that I precisely under- 
stand it,” said Clavering. 

Ah! true, true, I had forgotten,” replied Father 
Francis, smiling, ‘^that you are not yet one of the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


131 


initiated. This prayer or devotion is recited by the 
pious faithful three times a day at the sound of the 
bell in honor of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. It was introduced into the Church of Saintes 
in France, and Pope John XXII. gave his approba- 
tion to it in a hull dated 13th of October, 1318, and 
granted an indulgence of ten days to those who 
would perform this devotion kneeling. The prac- 
tice was considerably diffused by the efforts of (jalix- 
tus III., who established the daily ringing of the bell 
at noon for the purpose of calling the attention of 
the people to prayer, and granted indulgences to 
those who would at that hour recite three times the 
Lord’s prayer and the angelical salutation. Sixteen 
years later, Louis XI. of France established this 
devotion throughout that country, and since that 
period it has always been held in high respect, and 
has been enriched by several popes with important 
indulgences. Of the divine origin and excellence 
.of the Hail Mary there can be no doubt. You are 
familiar with the Scriptures, and, as you perceive, 
the words are taken from them, composed in heaven, 
dictated by the Holy Ghost, and delivered by the 
angel Gabriel, St. Elizabeth, and the church of 
Christ, to the faithful; it contains an act of adora- 
tion and thanksgiving for the great mystery of the 
incarnation, and in it the whole work of our 
redemption, the praises of Jesus Christ, and also 
of his virgin Mother, and ends with an humble 


132 


THE STUDEKT OF 


address to her, begging the aid of her powerful 
prayers.” 

I am not quite certain how or in what form the 
angelus is recited,” said Olavering; I do not think 
I have ever seen it, at least in its proper order, nor 
do I recollect perfectly the passages of Scripture 
which refer directly to it.” 

‘^Here, my dear sir,” said Father Francis, turn- 
ing over the pages of the New Testament in the 
first chapter of Luke 28th, 38th, and 42d verses, 
the first chapter of John, 14th verse, ^^you see at 
once the words which compose the Angelus Domini, 
and which have been divided by the church of 
Christ in the following order: 

^ And the angel declared unto Mary, and she 
conceived of the Holy Ghost. 

“'^Hail Mary, full of grace! our Lord is with 
thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is 
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother 
of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of , 
our death. 

‘ Behold the handmaid of the Lord! may it be 
done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, 
etc., etc. 

^ And the Word was made fl.esh, and dwelt 
among us. Hail Mary,^ etc., etc. 

‘^Itisa standing reproach against us Catholics 
that we worship the Virgin Mary, and pay that 
adoration to her which belongs properly to God; 
but it appears a self-evident fact that the profound 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


133 


veneration whicli the church teaches towards the 
Blessed Virgin is referable to Almighty God alone, 
and not to herself as a creature independent of his 
graces! She shall be called blessed by all genera- 
tions as the canticle clearly explains, because the 
Lord regarded the humility of his handmaid, and 
bestowed most high honors on her in making her 
the vessel whereby salvation descended to men, and 
as the pure and sinless mother of the Wor^i made 
flesh, on whom the glory of his Deity is reflected, 
she is honored and beloved b*y the faithful soul. 
^ He accumulated,’ says the council of Trent, ‘all 
his heavenly gifts on the most holy Virgin and to 
the Virgin herself, and it is for this singular felicity 
that we present our respectful and fervent congratu- 
lations,’ and ‘to this form of thanksgiving the 
church of God has wisely added prayers, and an 
invocation of the most holy Mother of God by which 
we piously fly to her patronage and beg her pow^er- 
ful aid in humble words like these: Holy Mary, 
mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the 
hour of our death.’* In reciting the inspired 
sentences of the Angelus Domini, how easy is the 
transition of the soul to the stable of Bethlehem 
where our Lord under the humble guise of an 
infant reposed on the bosom of his virgin Mother — 

* “ And vouchsafe, O Lord ! to pour forth thy grace into our 
hearts, and grant that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ thy 
Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his pas- 
sion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through 
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.” 


134 


THE STUDENT OF 


where, with the help of devotion, we can keep our 
minds attentive to what passed on that occasion, and 
exercise in our hearts such affections and sentiments 
of love, adoration, thanksgiving and praise, as will 
naturally arise from a lively application of the mind 
to the unparalleled love which Jesus Christ showed 
us in this the mystery of his incarnation/^ 

“Beyond all, said Clavering fervently, “is my 
heart moved when I contemplate this blessed Mother 
weeping in tears and anguish indescribable on Mount 
Calvary, at the foot of that cross on which hung in 
dying agony her divine Son. Truly was the proph- 
ecy of Simeon fulfilled in that tremendous hour 
when she suffered with him, and felt deep within 
her soul the sword that pierced it! Truly, my dear 
sir, does the Angelas Domini awaken in my heart 
the most sublime and tender sentiments of that 
Saviour who was her first care, and of that mother 
who was his last tender concern on earth, as she 
stood in humility and anguish at his feet while he 
hung immolated on the cross! ” 

Father Francis was highly gratified at the fervent 
manner in which Clavering expressed himself con- 
cerning this beautiful devotion to the Mother of 
God, and replied, taking his hand kindly : 

“ I hope, ere long, my young friend, that you will 
be one of the true fold of the church of Christ 
whose consolations you seem so well prepared to 
appreciate ; the only church that has ever through 
all generations called the holy Virgin blessed, and is 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


135 


SO far from nullifying by it the devotion and adora- 
tion due to Almighty God, that he is worshipped in 
a more especial and grateful manner through her.^^ 
Fearing that he intruded on the time of the excel- 
lent father, for he knew that he must necessarily be 
much occupied, he considerately bade him good 
day, and received a general invitation to visit him 
whenever he felt inclined. 


136 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


CHAPTEE XIL 

A CATHOLIC FAMILY. 

Goimc from Father Aylmer’s to the hotel where 
he dined, he was a little astonished to find his bag- 
gage gone, but learning from the clerk that he was 
indebted to Mrs. Botelar for its disappearance, he 
hastened to Carleton street as soon as possible to 
pay his respects and thank her for her kindness 
and attention. Mrs. Botelar arose when Clavering 
entered the room, and extending her hand, playfully 
chided him for staying so long. 

But you see, my dear,” she said, I have gained 
my point ; you will find your baggage all safe in 
your room.” 

After spending a pleasant hour in agreeable con- 
versation, he informed her of the kind reception he 
had met with from Father Francis Aylmer, and was 
eloquent in his praise. Mrs. Botelar sounded a 
small silver hand-bell, and Tom soon appeared with 
lights, for twilight had deepened and night stolen 
on ; then he left the room and returned again bear- 
ing a silver waiter, on which sat in dignified state 
the ancient though elegant teapot, sugar-bowl, 
cream pitcher, knives and forks, all of the same 
costly metal. There was nothing modern about 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


137 


them, even the cups and saucers and plates were of 
an age long gone by, and though made of the finest 
and most transparent china, would have been ban- 
ished from a fashionable board of the present day as 
too old timed to appear in good company. Tom set 
the waiter on a round table which he drew from a 
recess, and arranged the things on it neatly and 
with the most quiet air imaginable, for he had been 
doing the same thing in the same order and place 
every evening for some thirty or forty years. 

After bringing in muffins, tea, toast, and sand- 
wiches, he announced to Madame Botelar, as he 
called her, that supper was ready. 

^^You see, my dear,^" said the lady to Clavering 
as they drew up cheerfully around the board, ‘Hhat 
I am old fashioned in my habits. I feel nowhere 
as much at home of an evening as in my drawing- 
room.^^ Alice now, came in, and, after devoutly 
crossing themselves, Mrs. Botelar in a distinct voice 
besought the blessings of Almighty God in few and 
grateful words on the comforts his bounty had pre- 
pared for them, and proceeded with pleasant 
alacrity, to do the honors of her table. An ani- 
mated conversation ensued ; tranquillity, enlivened 
by a discriminating wit, marked every expression ; 
smiles once more beamed on the pale face of the 
young student as he yielded himself up without 
reserve to the quiet home feeling that pervaded the 
spot. Mrs. Botelar perceived this, and redoubled 
her efforts with such consummate tact that he for- 


138 


THE STUDEJfT OF 


got for the moment every distracting recollection in 
the sweet influence of peace around him. When 
the meal was over, a few moments of silence again 
ensued, and, each one making the sign of salvation, 
thanksgiving was offered up to the great Dispenser 
of all good for his mercies and blessings, and every 
thing being quickly removed by Tom, the table was 
rolled back to its place, when, with punctilious 
neatness, his arrangements were silently completed, 
and he withdrew. Mrs. Botelar invited Clavering to 
sit down to a game of chess with her, and Alice, 
who had been modestly taking part in the social 
chat, amused herself with an agreeable book until 
ten o’clock surprised the chess players, and she 
looked sufficiently sleepy to have given them a hint 
of the hour, even if the watchman had not intoned 
it underneath the window. 

The game is finished,” said Mrs. Botelar push- 
ing back the chess board with a movement that 
upset kings, queens, castles, knights, and all ; 

and, in consideration of my having to-day found a 
son, and in commemoration of so important and 
happy an era, I yield up all competition. You 
must feel honored by the sacrifice, young sir, for I 
assure you I am a most inveterate chess player. 
Now Alice, my love, prepare for rest.” Alice left 
the room by a middle door, taking a candle with 
her, and, after a few moments had elapsed, Olaver- 
ing heard low distinct notes of music ; gradually 
they swelled louder and more distinct, and he dis- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


139 


tinguislied the plaintive and rich sounds of a sweet- 
toned organ making solemn melodies. Mrs. Botelar 
arose, and, taking a large velvet covered book with 
silver clasps, said : 

Will you join us, Mr. Clavering, in our evening 
devotions?^’ 

‘‘ Certainly, my dear madam,^’ he answered, and 
shall consider myself highly privileged in being al- 
lowed to do so.” 

He then followed her into an adjoining room 
which was beautifully fitted up with altar lights and 
holy pictures as an oratory, where the domestics of 
the house and one or two old pensioners were al- 
ready assembled, all respectably and comfortably 
clad. 

^^ISTow, my child,” said Mrs. Botelar to Alice, 
who immediately commenced the sweet notes of a 
sacred melody, accompanied by the words of a 
hymn to our Lady of Grace, begging the aid of her 
intercessions in their behalf at the throne of her 
divine Son, in which all present joined, and, though 
the harmony would not have ravished an angel’s ear 
by its sweetness, their voices accorded in excellent 
time, and in each pious soul was the essential ele- 
ment which would some day, in an eternal world of 
light and peace, make seraphic music among the 
high hosts of heaven. This ceased; then followed 
the night prayers and the litany of the blessed Vir- 
gin, to which all responded in clear and distinct 
tones, and committed themselves finally to the care 


140 


THE STUDEHT OF 


of heaven under her powerful protection, crossing 
themselves in the name of the most adorable Trinity. 

They bowed to the Lady as they left the oratory, 
and withdrew, in serious and devout order, to be- 
take themselves to their places of repose, and Mrs. 
Botelar, Clavering, and Alice, who extinguished the 
lights on the altar, again entered the drawing-room. 
After a few moments^ thoughtful silence, Alice ap- 
proached her grandmother, and kissing her affec- 
tionately, bade her good night, while Mrs. Botelar 
laid her time-touched hand on the gentle creature^s 
head in benediction as she bowed it for a moment 
before her, and offering her hand, with a timid 
smil-e, to Clavering, who wished her good night, she 
withdrew. He still lingered, although Tom was 
waiting with lights to conduct him to his sleeping 
room, and with a heart tranquillized by the most 
peaceful emotions, thanked the kind lady for the 
quiet and holy refuge her house afforded him, so 
unexpected to him, and yet so refreshing and con- 
genial to his mind after the agitations of the last 
few months. 

^^Now, my dear boy,” she replied, understand 
all this; do not talk any more to-night, but go to 
your rest, and take with you the blessing of age — it 
cannot harm you,” and laying her hand affection- 
ately on his head, she added, bless you, my child; 
may your rest be happy; to-morrow we will talk as 
much as you please. Now good night.” 

‘^Good night, my mother” answered Clavering, 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


141 


who, leaving the room, was conducted by Tom to 
his apartment, which he found large and furnished 
after the fashion of a by-gone age. Old family por- 
traits, and some fine nautical sketches, and the like- 
ness of a young ofiicer in an undress naval uniform; 
a noble looking fellow with a countenance indicative 
of the greatest amiability and most. careless bravery, 
adorned one side of the room. Here stood a highly 
polished oaken wardrobe — there a bookcase of the 
same material, well filled with choice volumes, and 
on the mantel-piece was a miniature model of a 
man-of-war, with a quantity of the most perfect 
and shining shells that were ever brought from the 
isles of the sweet sou Vest. In a little recess, near 
his bed, was a marble pedestal, on which stood a 
figure of Our Lady carved out of the purest ala- 
baster, and around its base vines of the most deli- 
cately tinted shells and richest coral ingeniously 
wrought into buds, leaves, and fiowers, were twin- 
ing. An inlaid ivory candlestick, a vase of roses, 
and a gilt cup of holy water ornamented the little 
shrine, over which hung a bronze crucifix delineat- 
ing with painful expression the last agony! Two or 
three finely executed paintings hung around, repre- 
senting angel guardians. Our Lady as star of the 
sea,^Vnd him whom our Lord loved, St. John, the 
Evangelist. Holy images were these for the weary 
eye to rest on ere it closed in slumber; their sweet in- 
fluences on the unconscious senses falling, like re- 
freshing dews on the folded petals of flowers, amid 


142 


THE STUDEHT OE 


the darkness and shadows of night, making sleep a 
blessing and repose. From the portrait of the 
young officer and some curiosities of foreign work- 
manship in the room, he fancied that this apart- 
ment had been formerly occupied by the son of 
whom Mrs. Botelar had so sadly spoken, and, look- 
ing at the picture again, his opinion was confirmed, 
for he discovered a- strong resemblance in it to Alice, 
who he presumed must be his child. 

The next day, as Clavering sat in his room read- 
ing, he heard a light tap on his door, which he 
opened, and Mrs. Botelar, with her work in her 
hand, came in, and, seating herself on the sofa be- 
side him, said; 

‘^Do not let me disturb you, my dear; read on.” 
But he closed his book immediately and replied: 

‘*1 was looking over an article in the ^ Faith of 
Catholics ’ relative to the invocation of saints, and 
comparing it, my dear madam, with the opinion 
which Protestants entertain of the Catholic doctrine 
on this point. Many well-informed persons, and 
those who ought to know better, really believe that 
we pay the saints and angels divine honors, when 
we know that there is but one God, and, as such. 
He only is to be worshipped. We are accused of 
adoring them as if they were gods, and yet how can 
this be when we hnow that they, including the 
Mother of our Redeemer, are mere creatures!” 

Ah ! ” said Mrs. Botelar, smiling and shaking 
her head, on this, as well as every other doctrine. 


BLEi^HEIM FOREST. 


143 


we are either misunderstood or wilfully misrepre- 
sented. Our separated friends will not discriminate 
between the meaning of the sentence which says, 

^ have mercy on us/ and which we address to Al- 
mighty God alone, and the words, ^ pray for us/ by 
which we invoke the aid of his beloved servants I 
For instance, when we kneel before the statue or 
picture of any particular saint, and say the Lord’s 
prayer, or any other addressed to the Deity which 
our devotion may dictate, we do not worship that 
saint, but merely ask him, as a being living in the 
immediate presence, confidence, and love of God, to 
aid us with the assistance of his prayers.’’ 

‘^True, my dear madam, but I have heard persons 
admit the propriety of all this, who would have been 
glad to receive so consoling a doctrine, if the blessed 
in heaven, as they say, could only hear us, see us in 
our sorrows, and be conscious of our state in this 
valley of tears ! ” 

Ah ! my dear, did they ever read of the misera- 
ble Dives, who, amidst the torments of hell, prayed 
for the salvation of his brethren on earth ? If he, 
in the anguish of consuming fires, forgot not the 
sweet affinities of love and charity, can I believe 
that the saints and those who have gone up to the 
bosom of God through much tribulation, and dwell 
forever in that land where all the immortal attri- 
butes of their natures are sanctified by his presence, 
forget that touch-stone of holiness — charity — and 
ever cease to pray for us whom tliey see afar off. 


144 


THE STUDENT OF 


struggling, fainting, and weeping in this lower 
world ? And, oh ! above all, do I hope in the effi- 
cacy of their prayers, through the atoning merits of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, for the release of those who 
meekly and patiently suffer in purgatory ! I have 
much consolation in this dogma of our faith, my 
dear — I have one — who sleeps — and for him — my 
beloved son — I sorrowed not as those who have no 
hope/^ Mrs. Botelar uttered these words in a 
broken voice, and quietly wiped away the tears that 
fell for a moment in torrents from her eyes. Open 
the New Testament, if you please, my dear, and 
read the 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15 verses of the third 
chapter of St. PauTs first Epistle to the Corin- 
thians,” she said to Clavering, who, reaching out his 
hand, took the Testament from a table near him, 
and read : Every man shall receive bis own reward 
according to his own labor. For other foundation 
no man can lay, but that which is laid, which is 
Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this 
foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, 
stubble, every man^s work shall be manifest : for the 
day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be 
revealed in fire ; and the fire shall try every man^s 
work, of what sort it is. If any man^s work abide 
which he hath built thereon, he shall receive a 
reward : if any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss, 
yet he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire.” 

■ Alluding to this text of St. Paul, I think it is 
Origen who says: ^ Would you enter into heaven 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


145 


with your wood and hay and stubble to defile the 
kingdom of God ? or on account of those incum- 
brances remain without and receive no reward for 
your gold and silver and precious stones ? Neither 
is this Just. It remains then that you be committed 
to the fire which shall consume the light materials ; 
for our God, to those who can comprehend heavenly 
things, is a consuming fire. But this fire consumes 
not the creature, but what the creature has built, 
wood, hay, and stubble. First, then, we suffer on 
account of our transgressions, and then we receive 
our reward.’* But excuse me, dear Mrs, Botelar, 
reading this passage ; the commentary of Origen on 
it naturally presented itself,” 

^^No apology, Mr. Clavering,” replied the lady; 

I am happy to find you so thoroughly acquainted 
with the doctrines of our faith, and should be very 
glad to hear your opinion or impression of the state 
of departed souls after death.” 

^^My impressions,” said Clavering, are exactly 
what the Catholic church teaches, I believe, and 
correspond so fully with her belief on this doctrine, 
that it would be unreasonable in me to doubt them 
for an instant. I believe that all such as shall be 
found at death free from any stain of sin will be 
immediately admitted to the beatific vision, and a 
happiness which ^ neither the eye has seen, nor the 
ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of 
man to conceive.’ That all such as shall be guilty 

* Origen 's tenth homily on Jeremias. 


10 


146 


THE STUDENT OF 


of mortal sin, that is, of wilful, deliberate, and 
grievous violation of the divine law, will be immedi- 
ately banished from the presence of God and con- 
signed to the torments of eternal fire, prepared for 
the devil and his angels. That those who shall be 
found neither so pure as to be capable of admission 
into that holy abode, where ^ nothing defiled can 
enter, ^ * nor yet so guilty as to deserve eternal ban- 
ishment from God and consignment to eternal tor- 
ments, will undergo a temporary punishment pro- 
portioned to their guilt, and then be admitted to 
the sight and enjoyment of God. f As the faithful 
on earth, who are continually engaged in a spiritual 
warfare, are aptly called the church militant, so the 
blessed in heaven are called the church triumphant, 
while those detained in purgatory are called the 
suffering or penitent church. ‘ Thus the whole 
body of the faithful, whether in this world or the 
next,^ writes Bishop Baines, ^constitute but one 
church under the same divine Head — one sheep-fold 
under the same heavenly Shepherd. While the 
earthly portion of the spiritual empire may be con- 
sidered as a distant province governed by a viceregal 
authority, heaven and its adjuncts may be considered 
as the main body of the kingdom over which the 
Sovereign himself holds immediate sway/ ” 

I found the other day,^'’ said Mrs. Botelar, in 
one of the ‘Tracts for the Times ^ which Judge 


*Rev, xxi., 27. 


t Bp. Baines- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


147 


Melville sent me, certain passages which admit 
without doubt that all the ancient liturgies used by 
the different Christian churches, contained a prayer 
(which has been excluded from the English ritual) 
* for the rest and peace of all those ivho have departed 
this life in God^s faith and love.^ This coincidence 
among the ancient liturgies, all of \^hich, they 
admit, can be traced back to the middle of the 
fifth century, ‘proves,^ say the modern divines of 
Oxford, ^ the facts which coincide to be more than 
one thousand three hundred and eighty-three years 
old.^^" 

‘‘I recollect perfectly,'’^ answered Clavering, ^^the 
passages referred to; they admit also that the said 
liturgies were, in the middle of the fifth century, 
considered ancient, and were believed to have been 
handed down from the apostles; their coincidence 
on this head carries back the belief of the Christian 
world in its full extent to a much more remote 
period.” 

What a pity, and how strange it is,” said Mrs. 
Botelar, ^^that there should be such disputations 
about facts, God grant that the day may speedily 
come when these bickerings will cease, and all men 
worship in the same divine doctrine of unity and 
love which is taught by the church of Christ. But, 
leaving this question in its polemical point of view, 
I tell you, my child, had it not been for my un- 
shaken belief in a place of temporary punishment 
after death, from which the soul is to be delivered 


148 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


by the prayers of faith, through the atoning merits 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, I should have lost all hope 
and with it reason/^ 

^^May I be allowed, my dear madam, said 
Clavering, ‘‘to ask how?^^ Mrs. Botelar paused 
a few moments, and pressed her hand over her eyes 
while a flush of pain burned for an instant on her 
face, and replied: 

“ Without doubt, my dear Mr. Clavering; with- 
out doubt you may. I told you that I lost a son 
several years ago. He was my only child living, 
and the father of Alice — there hangs his portrait — 
he was a lieutenant in the navy, and this was his 
room; all these little mementos, those shells, I pre- 
serve with tenderest affection; they remind me of 
the virtues of my gallant boy, for he had many, and 
mutely appeal to me by their fond associations, to 
pray for the repose of his soul whenever my eyes 
fall on them.” 

“And,” thought Clavering, “because Catholics 
preserve and venerate pictures and relics of the illus- 
trious martyrs and saints of Cod, that they may be 
constantly reminded of their holy example, and also 
ask the aid of their prayers, they are ridiculed 
beyond expression, and branded by many with the 
name of idolaters.” 

“ My son had lost his wife, a beautiful southern 
lady, and obtained leave of absence a few months 
for the purpose of arranging his affairs and bringing 
his little girl, their only child, from Savannah to 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


149 


place under my protection. With tears in his 
beloved eyes he besought me to supply to her the 
loss of her mother. His fine spirits were much 
sobered down by his loss, and his mind subdued 
almost to melancholy, and, for a long while, the 
consolations of religion presented themselves in vain 
to his stricken heart, but, thanks be to our Lord 
God, he at last yielded, and found much tranquillity 
in the discharge of his Christian duties, he fre- 
quented the sacraments, and the church seemed a 
refuge into which it was his chief joy to fiy. But 
he was unexpectedly ordered on duty to a ship 
attached to the home squadron which was to cruise 
along the coast from Cape Hatteras to St. John’s, 
and return in the course of a month or two to 
Hampton roads to wait further orders. He left 
me — Henry left me full of hope and bright antici- 
pations of a speedy and safe return. I received one 
letter from him in which he wrote: ‘ We are rolling 
and pitching about the gulf stream, have had gales, 
storms, and comparative calms, but our gallant little 
schooner weathers them bravely, and we shall soon, 
dear mother, shake hands, when I will recount to 
you the dangers I have passed, and you will see 
me I trust much improved in health and spirits.’ 
Yes! he left me, and never returned! Oh mother 
of sorrows! can I ever forget the day on which 
they told me that, in a gale, somewhere off the 
coast, the schooner had gone down prow foremost, 
and every soul on board perished! Days, hours. 


150 


THE STUDENT OF 


long nights of agony, weeks of feverish anxiety 
passed, and every morning my eyes ran wildly over 
the ship news, hoping in my anguish to see some 
news of the ^Sea-Gull;'’ but no! time passed, and 
no fragment of her wreck — no dead body had ever 
floated to any shore by which we could know 
certainly her doom. If I had hot been a Catholic 
I should have gone mad! The love which survived 
my child, and which was refined and sanctified by 
the same Power which laid him low, could not have 
patiently borne the cold and unloving creed of Pro- 
testants, who believe that death separates all the ties 
and affinities, all communion between those who 
when living loved, and those who, still living, 
deplore and weep their loss. As it was, I prayed, 
1 hoped in my tribulation: for well I knew that, in 
the sudden and awful plunge which quenched the 
light of his lifers meridian, and ushered his soul 
unexpectedly before the tribunal of God, his imper- 
fections along with his virtues accompanied him, 
and that these frailties, however slight, made him 
unfit for ^that abode into which nothing defiled 
shall enter.’ And when, notwithstanding all, a 
lio^e that perhaps he might have been washed on a 
fragment of the wreck to some far-off shore, and 
still lived, lit up the sorrow of my heart with its 
cheering ray, I still prayed, hnoiving that, whether 
living or slumbering in death under the shadow of 
the mighty sea, my prayers, with a due spirit of 
•resignation to the divine will, were available for 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


151 


him at a throne of mercy. When blessings come, 
my dear, we are apt to think they are intended 
especially for us, and receive them as coming direct 
from the hand of God, but when trials, anguish and 
sorrow, dismay our hearts and weigh heavily on us, 
with what anxiety we endeavor to thrust them afar 
off, with repinings and regret, as if we were to be 
exempt from life’s ills forever, and the chastisement 
which our sins deserve, from the same unerring 
hand of wisdom that bestowed on our ungrateful 
soul gifts and blessings.” 

Your bereavement,” said Clavering in a gentle 
voice, has truly been unusually painful.” 

^^Yes,” she answered, wiping her eyes, ‘‘un- 
usually so; and the blow at first descended heavily 
on me, but I am resigned, and happy in the hope 
of his being eventually admitted into the ineffable 
presence of that God who, from the high throne of 
his purity, beholds blemishes in the holy angels! ” 

The Angelas just then rang, and both knelt 
before the little altar of Our Lady and recited the 
beautiful prayer, after which Mrs. Botelar approached 
the portrait of her son, and, after looking on it a 
short time, pressed her lips on the open manly fore- 
head, saying: 

“Our Lord deliver thee, my child,” and then 
left the room. 

“Ah! ’’thought Clavering, “with what a spirit 
of fortitude she bears her most grievous affliction — 
that little act, how expressive of her affection and 


152 


THE STUDENT OF 


commemoration of the good qualities of her Henry, 
and yet what Protestant seeing the same act trans- 
ferred to the picture or relic of a saint or martyr of 
the most high God, with the whispered invocation 
of ‘ pray for me/ accompanying it, would not say 
'lo! and behold the idolatrous practices of this 
Romish creed T 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


153 


CHAPTER XIII. 

SUNDAY — HIGH MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL, AND 
BENEDICTION AT ST. MARY^S CHAPEL. 

Clavering descended to the parlor the next 
morning much invigorated and refreshed by a night 
of delightful and uninterrupted repose, and found 
Mrs. Botelar and Alice waiting breakfast for him, 
for he had slept some hours he3^ond his usual hour 
of rising. The compliments of the morning were 
cheerfully exchanged, and after mutual kind in- 
quiries relative to each other’s rest and health, they 
sat down to the table. 

We must wait on ourselves this morning,” said 
the lady, and excuse the servants. Tom and 
Dorothy prefer going to high mass at St. Mary’s 
where they hear a sermon, and the others have gone 
to the Cathedral to a low mass.” 

am afraid, my dear madam,” said Clavering, 
^^that I have trespassed on your usual hours this 
morning ; truly have I been indolent, but as I am 
not in the habit of sleeping late, I can safely prom- 
ise you not to do the like again.” 

Promise me, my dear,” said the kind lady, to 
consult your own feelings — your health, above all 
things — and I shall feel much happier.” 


154 


THE STUDENT OF 


As you please/^ replied he ; but I fear I am in 
great danger of being too much indulged! ” 

^^Well, well, ril see to that; we will go this 
morning at eleven to the cathedral, if you have not 
determined to go elsewhere, and in the afternoon hear 
vespers, and receive the benediction of the Blessed 
Sacrament at St. Mary’s chapel,” said Mrs. Botelar. 

^‘The arrangement suits me exactly,” he an- 
swered, ^^and under your guidance, kind friend, I 
hope to assist at the first mass I have ever attended, 
without being distracted by the novelty of the cere- 
monial.” 

^^No fear of that, my dear; my pew is only a short 
distance from the sanctuary, and you will have an 
opportunity of paying close attention to the move- 
ments of the officiating priest; this, with the assist- 
ance of your prayer-book, and your intimate knowl- 
edge of Latin, will, without doubt, enable you to 
participate in all the solemn ceremony without dis- 
traction.” 

After breakfast Mrs. Botelar, as was her custom, 
retired to her room to spend the hour before going 
to mass in meditation and pious reading, thinking 
wisely and well that the importance of those high 
and solemn mysteries required from her, who had 
time and opportunity, something more than ordi- 
nary preparation. Sundays and holidays Of obliga- 
tion were literally days of rest in Mrs. Botelar’s 
house; her servants, well-managed and kindly 
treated, had great incentives to the performance of 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


155 


their duties to her. Their labors always met with 
constant and judicious rewards. Although her in- 
feriors in position and education, her domestics 
were always treated as rational and sensitive beings; 
and the barriers imposed by society, to them so im- 
passable, opened for her towards them a road for the 
exercise of kind, Christian charities. She required 
certain things of them, in the observance of which 
she was particularly careful, and this without exer- 
cising over them that continual and soul fretting 
surveillance which some mistresses think so neces- 
sary, telling them that such were her rules, and 
they as men and women in the full exercise of ra- 
tional faculties, must abide by them, and once know- 
ing their duty, perform it without being constantly 
reminded of it by her. They felt all the influence 
of her gentle and systematic control. She did not 
teach them dishonesty and double-dealing, by a 
prying and suspicious manner, but, as far as she 
thought it prudent, confided in them — thus appeal- 
ing, for the discharge of their duty, to their self- 
respect, religion and honor. Yes, honor ; for al- 
though far beneath us in station, and occupying, as 
they do, an unthankful position, they have all the 
attributes of humanity in common with ourselves, 
and ofttimes only require the fostering influence 
of kindness and generosity to develop their excellent 
qualities, in freshness and strength, and redeem 
them from the noxious and destructive growth of 
vicious propensities. Mrs. Botelar was not one of 


156 


THE STUDENT OF 


those exacting ladies who think that every moment 
of their servants^ time ought to be devoted to them 
and their concerns, whether conveniences required it 
or not, but knowing that they, like all other human 
beings, required recreation sometimes, allowed them 
the privilege, after their duly appointed tasks were 
over, to sit down in quiet, cleanliness and peace, 
either to read, sew, or, if they chose, go out and 
visit a friend, on condition that they returned at a 
proper hour; and their spiritual concerns were as 
wisely attended to as their temporal comforts; they 
knew well that it was much to their advantage to 
perform their duties faithfully and well, because by 
so doing they had more time at their own disposal 
and ample opportunities of going to church; — but, 
dear me ! the bell is tolling the second time, and 
Clavering, with Mrs. Botelar and Alice, is about en- 
tering through the main door into the Cathedral. 
He paused a moment to give Mrs. Botelar and Alice 
time to dip their fingers in the marble vase contain- 
ing holy water, and bless themselves with the sign 
of faith, by which act they declared their belief in 
the adorable Trinity, ere they entered further within 
the portals of the temple of Cod, and was much 
struck by the beautiful and impressive coup deceit 
presented to his eye from the spot. Arches, 
pillars, and domes seemed gradually receding in 
harmonious perspective, until lost in the immense 
dome that covers the intersection of the nave and 
transept, and beyond these the grand altar of costly 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


157 


marble, with its lofty, candles from whose summits 
emanated bright and twinkling beams ; its chaste 
and polished tabernacle, surmounted by a massive 
crucifix; its kneeling angels, who, in attitudes of 
holy and imploring aspect, knelt on each side, im- 
parted to the whole a grace and harmony inexpres- 
sible. They had scarcely knelt in the pew, and ut- 
tered a prayer, when the notes of the organ pealed 
forth its solemn harmonies, and then 

“ was heard so sweetly ‘ Tu, asperges me,’ that I 

May not remember, much less tell the sound.” — Purg. xxxi. 

And a priest arrayed in sacerdotal vestments, pre- 
ceded by a white-robed assistant bearing a vessel of 
holy water, left the sanctuary, and passing up and 
down each aisle, sprinkled the congregation with it, 
who, as the blessed drops fell on each, bowed for a 
moment, crossing themselves, and uttered, in a low 
voice, the prayer with the priest, Thou shalt 
sprinkle me, 0 Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be 
cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made 
whiter than snow.” He then returned to the sanct- 
uary, and at the foot of the altar begging the Lord 
to show him mercy and grace, and grant salvation 
to the people, retired with his assistant to the sac- 
risty. Clavering well knew that this ceremony was 
not an idle novelty, or empty pageant in the church 
of Gfod, for as St. Paul declares * that by the fall of 
Adam all things were made subject to vanity, and 

^ Romans viii. ; Ephesians i. ; 1 Tim. iv. 


158 


THE STUDENT OF 


by the death and merits of Christ are to be rescued 
and sanctified by the word of Cod and prayer, noth- 
ing was more common among the primitive Chris- 
tians, than, before using anything, to pray for its 
sanctification through Christ, making at the same 
time the sign of the cross for this purpose. As the 
prophet Eliseus is recorded to have mingled salt 
with water, that with this infusion the bitter waters 
of Jericho^s turbid fount might become sweet, and 
no more cause sterility and death, but bring forth 
life and fruit, so the church, desirous of turning to 
spiritual account some of these same creatures spoken 
of by St. Paul, mingles water, which cleanses from 
filth, with salt, which preserves from corruption, 
and prays, by the ministry of her priests, that re- 
leased from every evil spirit, and blessed by the 
powerful hand of Cod, the water (thus specially pre- 
pared) may sanctify the persons and places to which 
it may be applied, bestowing on them, the life of 
grace, and cause them to bring forth the fruits of 
virtue, so that, being cleansed from iniquity, and 
preserved from the corruption of sin, they may be 
saved through Christ.” He looked about him 

“ As a pilgrim, when he rests 
Within the temple of his solemn vow, 

In breathless awe, and hopes some time to tell 
Of all its goodly state, e’en so his eyes 
Coursed up and down.”— Danfe, Paradise xxxi. 

In the rear of the grand altar he beheld a large 
cross, on which, in ‘^chiselled agony the man of 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


159 


SORROWS hung/^ elevated high above the taber- 
nacle, and on each side, between the columns, sus- 
pended two oil paintings of the Baptism of 
Christ, and the ‘‘ Assumption of the Blessed Vir- 
gin Mary.^^ These appendages, with the rich 
shrines of highly polished and variegated marble, in 
large niches, to the right and left of the grand altar, 
on which stood chaste tabernacles, massive candle- 
sticks, and statues, one representing holy Madonna 
and the divine Infant, the other our Lord, as ^^the 
Good Shepherd; the spacious sanctuary, and the 
archbishop^s. chair, over which was painted in gold 
the armorial insignia of his office, the cross, crosier, 
and cardinaBs hat, with the inscription of ‘^Auspice 
Maria,” and which, being elevated a few steps from 
the floor, stands under a crimson canopy, betw^een 
the grand altar and that of the Good Shepherd, pres- 
ented, as a whole, a simple and chaste harmony to 
the attentive eye of the young convert. Whilst 
he was observing these prominent objects, and last, 
though not the most insignificant, a cluster of rich 
exotics and shining evergreen that some pious soul, 
with pure intention, had placed on the altar of the 
Blessed Virgin, the organ again pealed forth its 
solemn melodies, and the officiating priest, clad in 
rich vestments, entered the sanctuary on one side, 
preceded by eight aoolytes, arrayed in surplices of 
white, one of whom bore the censer, while the arch- 
bishop, in his purple cassock, cope, and surplice of 
transparent and heavily wrought material, came in 


IGO 


THE STUDENT OF 


at an opposite door, and approaching, with the cele- 
brant and acolytes, to the foot of the altar, where 
they knelt, and making the sign of the cross, all, 
priests and people, bowed in silent adoration before 
the most holy sacrament. The archbishop now 
ascended to his chair, and the solemn ceremonies 
commenced. Soon was heard, in lugubrious ac- 
cents, melodious and full, the Kyrie eleison! that 
prayer so sublime, yet so humble, and well suited to 
penitent souls, chanted by voices little less than 
heavenly, and borne aloft on the mellow peal of the 
swelling organ. Kyrie eleison! — the safest language 
for sinful hearts — the involuntary supplication of 
contrite and weary spirits! On it peals! — Kyrie 
eleison! — the outpouring of interior prayer, and the 
whispered petition of kneeling thousands, moving 
upwards to the throne of mercy in sad and depreca- 
ting accents, ere they participated with the priest 
in the most holy mysteries. Then in ecstatic 
strains poured forth, aided by those same seraphic 
voices, but now tuned to more exulting notes, the 
^^G-loria in excelsis^^ burst on the ear, that song 
began by the angels of heaven, and finished by the 
doctors of the church, so full of inspiration, that 
the very soul trembles at the words which tell, in 
sublime and melodious numbers, of the majesty of 
God, and Jesus Christ his Son. Clavering, enrapt 
in solemn wonder, and fully appreciating the great 
import of what was passing before him, united his 
heart with sentiments of earnest devotion to the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


161 


prayers of the priest in the collect, wherein he lays 
before Almighty God the necessities, desires, and 
vows of his people, and offered his grateful prayers 
at the Epistle for having been called to a knowledge 
of his faith. At the Gospel all stood, respectfully 
waiting to receive the rule of faith drawn up by 
Christ himself, and by which we shall certainly be 
judged; and as the words 8equentia sancti Evan- 
gelii,^^ etc., were intoned, all that vast congregation, 
with a simultaneous movement, raised their hands 
and made the sign of the cross on their forehead, 
their lips, and breast: on their forehead, that they 
might never be ashamed of Chris b or his word; on 
their lips, that they might never fear to declare it, 
and on their breasts, that they might always carry 
it in their hearts. Clavering saw not, in the lights 
that blazed on the altar, vain or foolish pageants ; 
ah, no! he was carried back to the first ages of the 
church, when the early Christians, fiying from the 
wrath of Eoman tyrants and pagan hatred, sought 
out dens and subterranean caverns, whose noxious 
and almost palpable gloom they were obliged to 
dissipate by. the light of tapers, ere they could cele- 
brate therein the sacred mysteries, and where often, 
by the quivering beams of those same holy tapers, 
their persecutors, like a torrent, rushed in, drench- 
ing the earth with martyrs" gore, laying waste their 
rude altars, and trampling under their polluted feet 
the sacred symbols. He saw also in them an em- 
blem of that light which arose in Bethlehem under 
11 


162 


THE STUDENT OF 


the beams of a new born star, and shone on higher 
and higher, till blazing on the sacrificial altar of 
Mount Calvary, it lit up with hope a ruined world, 
and accomplished the salvation of man. He scarcely 
heard the eloquent preacher who had ascended the 
pulpit, but was scanning, with earnest eyes, the 
vestments of the priest, tracing in them throughout 
all the simple explanations he had read of their 
emblematic meanings. In the amice, or white cloth 
around the priest’s neck, he saw no pagan folds, but 
wandering back again to those troublous times of 
the early church, when by a custom of the country 
all men wore their necks bare, he saw the faithful 
and persecuted servant of God covering his neck 
with a linen cloth to protect it from the stagnant 
damps of those subterranean cells, and also beheld 
in it the rag or bandages with which the Jew’s blind- 
folded our Lord when they bade him prophesy v/ho 
it was that struck him. In the alb he saw the 
afflicted Saviour clothed in a wfflite garment by 
Herod, and in the girdle, maniple, and stole, the 
cords and bands with which he was bound in the 
different stages of his passion, and in the chasuble 
or outer vestment, on the back of which was a cross, 
to remind us of that which Christ bore on his lacer- 
ated shoulders, he saw commemorated the derision 
and scorn which the Jews heaped on his thorn- 
crowned head when, arraying him in a purple gar- 
ment, they hailed him King. Here were no idola- 
trous or heathen robes, or patterns borrowed from a 


BLENHEIM EOEEST. 


163 


pagan mythology; oh, no! but in the very lights of 
the altar, and equipments of the priest, he read a 
distinct epitome of the birth, passion, and death of 
our Lord, as well as some of the woes through which 
the primitive Christians waded. Clavering was 
aroused from his train of reflections by seeing the 
priest arise, and go up in front of the altar to the 
tabernacle, and intone the Credo,” which was 
chanted, in full sweet chorus, by the choir, accom- 
panied by the organ^s religious music. He heard 
nothing in this holy hymn to remind him of earth — 
nothing irreverent or unsuitable — hut on its strains 
of harmony his soul, in rapt devotion, floated up to. 
the very portals of heaven, and when, with subdued 
tones, the melody came stealing through the lofty 
arches, like harp-strings touched by passing winds, 
and a voice like those which swell the melody of 
heaven, sang in strains of sublime and plaintive 
sweetness the Et homo f actus est” of the creed, 
and every knee bowed for a moment in honor of the 
incarnation of Christ, 

“ Then all his sense in ravishment was lost, 

And the rest after, softly and devout. 

Followed through aU the hymn with upward gaze.”— Hanfe. 

WitTi attentive and devout manner. Clavering 
accompanied the priest through the solemn offertory, 
the lavabo, preface, and canon of the mass, up to 
that tremendous moment when he raised in his con- 
secrated hands the immaculate Host, pronouncing 
it, by the power of God, and the words of consecra- 


164 


THE STUDENT OF 


tiou, to be the body and blood of Christ; and the 
whole assembly bowed in prostrate awe before it, 
^^all blending in the belief of an incarnate God, 
who, by his flesh, hath redeemed, and by his flesh 
still feeds his creatures.” Now stole forth — after 
the Nohis quoque peccatoribus and Pater Noster — 
the heavenly strains of the Agnus Dei, after which 
followed the communion, the last Gospel, and the 
benediction of the people, who were dismissed with 
the words Ite, missa est 

^^Mr. Clavering,” said Mrs. Botelar that after- 
noon, ^^we will go to St. Mary^s a little before the 
yesper hour ; I want you to see one or two things 
that I know will interest you!” 

^‘^As you please, dear madam; lam under your 
guidance, you know, particularly to-day.” 

Well, so you are, and I will even take advantage 
of it, my dear, by leading you directly to Mount 
Calvary! ” 

Clavering did not comprehend her meaning, but 
the words, lead you to Mount Calvary,” had a 
happy signification, for that was the goal of his 
spirit^s pilgrimage; and a thousand thoughts of 
humble hope irradiated his soul as he thought that 
at some day, not far distant, he would there rest for- 
ever! As they entered the narrow street leading to 
St. Mary^s chapel, the evening sun was shedding 
from the west a flood of radiance over arch, column, 
and pointed spire of the perfect Gothic edifice, 
while the large gilt cross, surmounting the graceful 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


165 


steeple, stood forth in bright and marvellous beauty 
against the dark blue of the sky beyond. 

This, my dear,^^ said Mrs. Botelar, pointing to a 
large regular building, on the right, is St. Mary’s 
theological seminary, and the community of priests 
and students attached to and resident in it, are 
under the direction of a superior, and belong to the 
society of St. Sulpice, while the massive gateway 
which you see opposite, leads to the college and its 
adjoining grounds.” 

^^Ah,” replied Clavering, ^^this thfenis St. Mary’s 
college ! and here many of my associates and friends 
in Virginia have graduated ! Little did I imagine, 
when I heard them speak in high terms of eulogy 
of this seat of learning, that I should ever see it 
under existing circumstances.” He sighed deeply! 

^^We are approaching Mount Calvary,” said Mrs. 
Botelar, who observed with pain an expression of 
deep sadness on the countenance of Clavering, as 
they passed through the gate and entered a gravelled 
walk which formed a gentle ascent, bordered on 
each side with vines and shrubbery, that led them 
around in the rear of the chapel, where a scene, at 
once peaceful, solemn and quiet, presented itself to 
their eyes. 

On a high, artificial mound, covered with trees 
and shrubbery, all glowing with the warm tints of 
autumnal hectic, with serpentine walks of gravel 
winding around it, a large wooden cross was ele- 
vated, and around its base were gathered the graves 


166 


THE STUDENT OF 


and tombs of the consecrated dead — of those priests 
and students of St. Sulpice who had died at the 
seminary. Some had laid down their heads covered 
with the hoar-frost of time, and fallen, like ripened 
fruit, to the dust; here lay some whose life-beam 
was quenched in death^s turbid wave, as they ran 
on in full career of holiness and usefulness; and 
others!— ^ah! yes — there were others whose golden 
bowl had been broken at the fountain, while yet the 
living beams of morning glistened on its waters; 
they, like angelic spirits, had passed away ere their 
course of theology on earth was done, to finish it in 
the joy and perfection of their great teacher, God. 
Not a sound was heard, save the carol of a bird, 
which, allured by the bright sunshine and balmy 
air, had ventured forth from its retreat in some 
moss-covered nook, to fiit about its beloved haunt 
again, ere yet the wintry blasts had come to strip it 
of its lingering glory; and the gentle rustling of 
evergreen leaves that sadly moved, as the wind 
sighed tenderly over the graves of the servants of 
God who slumbered in hope at the foot of Mount 
Calvary. But now, from the Gothic windows of 
the sanctuary, sweet, plaintive cadences from the 
solemn organ stole softly out, and a 'full chorus of 
manly voices chanting the vesper hymn! Fit re- 
quiem this for the placid slumberers; it seemed not 
like death, but the sainted repose of faith, which 
awaited only for the dawn of the resurrection to 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


167 


arise triumphant, amid seraphic and eternal melo- 
dies! 

‘"Shall we go, my dear?'' said Mrs. Botelar, 
touching Clavering's arm, as he leaned in deep 
meditation on a marble tomb. 

“Would that /might rest here forever," he re- 
plied with an expression of unrest and sadness on 
his countenance; “but, my kind friend, you are 
waiting for me. Have I detained you?" 

“ God grant, my child," exclaimed Mrs. Botelar, 
“that in the presence of the holy Sacrament, your 
mind maybe soothed and tranquillized: leave the 
past to him, and to him trust for the future! " 

The chapel was literally thronged with worship- 
pers, but after some little difficulty, Mrs. Botelar suc- 
ceeded in procuring seats for herself and Clavering, 
in a pew immediately fronting the altar where he 
had an uninterrupted view of the spacious and well 
proportioned sanctuary, which w\as elevated a few 
feet above the level of the floor, and divided from 
the main body of the church by an elaborately 
carved railing of dead gilt. The priests and stu- 
dents, arrayed in hla-ck cassocks, white surplices and 
the bonnet-carre, with the young boys or acolytes, 
who assist at the ceremonies in the sanctuary, 
dressed in scarlet cassocks, over which they wore 
thin white surplices conflned around the waist by a 
cord, were all seated according to their respective 
theological grades, on benches which formed two 
half circles at the upper end of the sanctuary. The 


168 


THE STUDENT OF 


altar and tabernacle were constructed of the most 
costly and highly polished marble, and raised some 
two or three feet from the floor of the richly 
carpeted sanctuary by- steps of the same elegant ma- 
terial: and were covered with clusters of fragrant 
exotics, glowing in beauty among the numerous 
lights that were blazing with dazzling radiance 
above, upheld by magniflcent gilt candelabras, while 
the splendid ostensorium in which the adorable 
Sacrament was to be deposited for benediction, glit- 
tered in a focus of intense light on the Epistle side 
of the tabernacle, and altogether formed a nucleus 
of gorgeous brilliance that seemed to diffuse beams 
of living beauty in every nook and shaded place of 
the Gothic chapel. The day-beams penetrated the 
painted glass of the sanctuary^s highest windows, 
and pencilled tints of prismatic richness on the 
frescoed ceiling, and crept devoutly in through 
crimson draperies, dispensing an atmosphere of 
shadowy glory around the gorgeous altar, and floated 
softly away through the columned aisles, while 
through the roseate mist that quivered with tremu- 
lous motion Olavering saw, as if afar off, in the rear 
of the altar a large cruciflx, on which was a represen- 
tation of the God-man, causing the mind that be- 
held its posture of agony, to shrink and utter, in- 
voluntarily, deprecatory words of sorrow and contri- 
tion. 

He observed that the reverend gentlemen uncov- 
ered and bowed their heads low and reverentially 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


169 


while they chanted a certain part of the vesper 
office, and looking with an inquiring glance towards 
Mrs. Botelar, perceived that she as well as those 
around them made the same respectful reverence : 
who, when she raised her eyes and observed his 
countenance, immediately handed her open book to 
him, with her finger on the verse of Glory be to 
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,^^ 
with which the church concludes all her canticles, 
prayers and hymns : and understanding at once that 
this obeisance was made in honor of the adorable 
Trinity, forgot not to bow his head also whenever it 
occurred again, with sentiments of profound respect 
to the triune God. He was at first disappointed at 
not hearing female voices ; but the sonorous, full 
tones of the clergy, with the clear tenor of chil- 
dren's voices, accompanied by the religious notes of 
the organ, blending in loud, grand music, as they 
sang the ancient and sublime melody of the Grego- 
rian chant ; at first awed, then solemnized, and 
finally diffused an elevated sensation of heavenly 
repose over his soul that the most mellifluous and 
seraphic strains of harmony would have failed to 
produce. The inspired Magnificat was next chanted 
in responsive notes, alternately by the choir in the 
sanctuary and a soft, melodious voice from the organ 
loft, after which the white-robed sacristan kindled 
additional lights on the altar, and the priests, stu- 
dents, and acolytes, who bore burning candles and 
incense, came round in devout order to the front of 


170 


THE STUDENT OF 


the sanctuary, followed by their venerable superior, 
whose high, erect person, was robed in magnificent 
vestments of wrought silver and gold, and as he with 
his two assistants ascended the steps of the altar, the 
rest knelt before it. 

The tabernacle was now opened and the conse- 
crated Host taken therefrom, and deposited in its re- 
ceptacle in the midst of the glittering ostensorium, 
and placed under a canopy of gold and silver cloth, 
which surmounted the holy place ; then followed 
the majestic swell of the organ and melodious voices 
pealing forth the triumphant notes of a heavenly 
chorus ; but they died away, the thrilling and ec- 
static strains were hushed, and now, like angel music, 
its transporting harmony softly soothed to subdued 
and soul-touching cadences, 

“ Swelled the organ up through choir and nave, 

The music trembled with an inward thrill 
Of bliss at its own grandeur, wave on wave, 

Its flood of mellow thunder rose until 
The hushed air shivered with the throb it gave, 

Then, poising for a moment, it stood still. 

And sank and rose again to burst in spray. 

That wandered into silence, far away.” — J. R. Lowe. 

And amidst clouds of incense which wove solemn 
wreaths and wound itself like angels’ wings around 
the tabernacle, sweet emblems of the prayers of 
saintly hearts — amid the whispered supplications of 
the kneeling crowd, and adoration of the priests 
of God, the sacred Host in its magnificent reposi- 
tory was elevated by the reverend superior in his 


BLEH-HEIM FOREST. 


171 


consecrated and veiled liands^ on high in benedic- 
tion ! Even as Moses raised the brazen serpent in 
the wilderness, that all who were afflicted, or dis- 
eased by the scourge of pestilence, might look on it 
and be healed ; even so was the adorable Sacrament 
raised on high, that those who, stricken by the 
world, or tainted by the leprosy of its sin, with con- 
trite hearts, broken by penitential throbs, might gaze 
on it, and . behold their salvation — their hope — and 
their life. Every head bowed low in prostrate ado- 
ration — the bell from the steeple rang a joyous 
peal — the words of a hymn of praise and thanks- 
giving were intoned and sung in jubilant tones — 
the blessed Sacrament was restored again to the tab- 
ernacle — and the imposing rite was over ; but 
Clavering still knelt with closed eyes, and his face 
leaning on his hands in tranquil and devout medita- 
tion. The last hour of day had chimed, its last 
beam was fading in the sky, when he raised his 
head, and the widow with her orphan child, and 
the heart-stricken, had wept on the steps of the sanc- 
tuary and retraced their steps like silent ghosts — 
the sigh of the distant organ seemed lulled with the 
day to rest, the nave was deserted, and the levite, 
attentive to the lamps and garniture of the holy 
place, with a slow step, hardly crosses it again. 

Here might I/’ thought Clavering, rest for- 
ever ; before yon sacred tabernacle where thou, 0 
Lord ! dost descend at the voice of a mortal, and 
where faith kneels to receive its immortal food ; but 


172 


THE STUDENT OF 


can any expression equal the hearths ecstacy ? What- 
ever my lips may articulate, this pressed blood which 
circulates in this bosom, which breathes in thee — 
this heart which beats and expands, these bathed 
eyes — this silence, all speak,, all pray in me. So 
swell the waves at the rising of the king of day, so 
revolve the stars, mute with reverence and love, and 
Thou comprehendest their silent hymn ! Thus, 0 
Father, in like manner comprehend that which I 
cannot express ; silence is the most sublime lan- 
guage of a heart overpowered by thy glory ! * 

Shall we go ? whispered Mrs. Botelar. 

Excuse me, dear madam,” said Clavering after 
they had left the sacred spot ; I fear that I have 
detained you longer than prudence wohld dictate — 
the air feels chill ! ” 

No, my child, not at all,” she answered ; “ how 
were you pleased ? ” 

Ah, my kind friend, pleased is too poor a word 
for me to use, to express the emotions of my heart 
now — but this evening I will read to you a little 
transcript I made the other day from the pages of a 
celebrated writer, f which will express in sublime 
and worthy language the various sentiments of 
wonder, admiration and awe, which the august 
ceremonies of the Catholic religion have awakened 
in my mind.” 

Mr. Clavering,” said Mrs. Botelar, as they sat 
alone after tea, ^^do not forget your promise.” 

* Altered from Lamartine. j Lavater; 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


173 


Ah, true,” replied he, taking some small ivory 
tablets from his pocket-book. As I looked to-day 
on the various symbols, ceremonies, and rites which 
I witnessed, and which some through ignorance 
misunderstand and ridicule, the eloquent language 
of a certain celebrated philosopher presented itself 
to my mind — who, finding himself in a Catholic 
church, exclaimed : ^ He doth not know thee, 0 
Jesus Christ, who dishonoreth even thy shadow ! I 
honor all things where I find the intention of honor- 
ing thee ! I will love them because of thee ! I 
will love them, provided I find the least thing which 
makes me remember thee ! What then do I behold 
here ? What do I hear in this place ? Does 
nothing under these majestic vaults speak to me of 
thee ? This cross — this golden image, is it not 
made for thy honor ? The censer which waves 
around the priest ; the Gloria, sung in choirs ; the 
peaceful light of the perpetual, sacramental lamp ; 
thes^ lighted tapers, all is done for thee. Why is 
the Host elevated, if it be not to honor thee, 0 J esus 
Christ, who art dead for love of us ? Because it is 
no more, and thou art it, the believing church bends 
the knee. It is in thy honor that these children, 
early instructed, make the sign of the cross, that 
their little tongues sing thy praise, and that they 
strike their breasts thrice with their little hands. It 
is for the love of thee, 0 Jesus Christ, that one 
kisses the spot which bears thy adorable blood ; for 
thee the child who serves, sounds the little bell, and 


174 


THE STUDEl^T OF 


does all that he does ! The riches collected from 
distant countries, the magnificence of chasubles, all 
have relation to thee. Why are the walls and the 
high altar of marble clothed with verdant tapestry 
on the day of the Blessed Sacrament ? For whom 
do they make a road of fiowers ? For whom are 
these banners embroidered ? When the Ave Maria 
sounds, is it not for thee ? Matins, vespers, prime 
and nones, are they not consecrated to thee ? These 
bells within a thousand towers, purchased with the 
gold of whole cities, do they not bear thine image 
cast in the very mould ? Is it not for thee that they 
send forth their solemn tone ? It is under thy pro- 
tection, 0 Jesus Christ, that every man places him- 
self who loves solitude, chastity, and poverty. 
Without thee, the orders of St. Benedict and St. 
Bernard would not have been founded. The 
cloister, the tonsure, the breviary, and the chaplet 
render testimony of thee. Oh ! delightful rapture ! 
Jesus Christ ! for thy disciple to trace the marks of 
thy finger, where the eyes of the world see them 
not ! Oh, joy ineffable, for souls devoted to thee, 
to behold in caves and on rocks, in every crucifix, 
placed upon hills and on highways, thy seal and that 
of thy love ! who will not rejoice in the honors of 
which thou art the object and the soul ? Who will 
not shed tears in hearing the words ^ Jesus Christ 
be praised ? ^ Oh, the hypocrite, who knoweth that 
name and answereth not, with joy, amen ! Who 
saith not with an intense transport, ^ Jesus be 
blessed for eternity ! for eternity ! ^ 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


175 


CHAPTEE^ Xlv. 

CONFESSION. 

So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God, 
upon one sinner doing penance. Luke xv., 10. 

He said, therefore, to them again : Peace be to you. As the 
Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, 
he breathed on them, and he said, receive ye the Holy Ghost. 
Whose sins ye shall forgive,, they are forgiven them, and whose 
sins you retain, they are retained. John xx., 21-23. 

And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, 
and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, shall be bound also 
in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be 
loosed also in heaven. Matt, xvi., 19. 

And many of them that believed, came, confessing, and declar- 
ing their deeds. Acts, xix. 18. 

Clayering had fallen into a common error I He 
could not precisely comprehend the wonderful sim- 
plicity of this sublime faith whose tenets he was 
about to adopt, or how, or why, he had, almost in- 
stinctively, received and adopted its heavenly doc- 
trines, without having recourse to human science to 
reduce its mysteries to the rationality of his own 
powerful mind. Heretofore, in matters of high 
essential importance, which involved abstruse doc- 
trines, or nice metaphysical distinctions, he had 
been aided by reason and logical solutions, but now 
it seemed as if these were unnecessary, and he feared 


176 


THE STUDEHT OF 


that he had not pursued the proper steps to arrive 
perfectly and surely at the goal of his wishes ; so he 
read on, wearying his mind, and distracting his 
spirit with feverish and uncertain dread. 

He was much cheered one day by seeing letters 
from home lying on his dressing table, and, in his 
eagerness to hear from its beloved inmates, forgot 
for a moment the painful and unpleasant position 
he held to it. Mrs. Clavering was well— his 
father much changed, and although he never 
breathed his name, or allowed the slightest object 
that could remind him of his son to remain in his 
presence, yet,'’^ wrote Mrs. Clavering, “ it is very 
evident that intense and concealed anxiety is under- 
mining his health, for his step is becoming slow, he 
looks feeble, and will sometimes sit for hours without 
speaking, and sigh deeply, without seeming at all 
conscious of the presence of any one ! Although 
this is heart-rending to me, added to the loss of your 
dear society, my child, I would not have you flinch 
a moment, or waver, or turn hack, even if it were 
to bring the dead to life, for of far more importance 
is your eternal salvation, than a consideration of 
such momentary pangs. And all I have to say 
now, my son, I who by my weakness and prevari- 
cation lived so many years a reproach to the church 
of Christ, is to go on — ^rest not until you repose 
amid consolations on her bosom — ^take a decided 
and unalterable stand within her portals, where the 
waves which are tossed about by ^ various winds of 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


177 


doctrine,’ can no more disturb 3'^ou, but where the 
sheet anchor of your soul will be an immaculate 
and ever enduring faith, and its drooping energies 

sustained by its divine sacraments Isadora 

is changed, pale, and serious, but in her your father 
and myself find a devoted and affectionate child.” 

A dreamy languor fell over Clavering after read- 
ing his mother’s letter — a faintness and weariness 
of spirit. He was a happy careless boy once more, 
wandering lovingly by her side through the beloved 
shades of Blenheim Forest — he was sitting at even- 
tide on his father’s knee, watching, with instinctive 
triumph, his proud and happy glance as it beamed 
with love on him ; he recalled to mind his boyish 
sports, the merriment and glee of his favorite slaves, 
when he, the idol of his home, returned from col- 
lege to sp&d a few weeks’ vacation with its happy 
inmates ; he recollected his beautiful cousin — their 
walks, their rides and interchange of happy thoughts, 
and a pang shot through his heart ; and then all the 
joys — the treasures' — hopes and love of that dear 
home came thronging with magic velocity about the 
heaven of his memory, and lit up its night with 
starry beams ! What was he now? An outcast! 
And why? ah! why? Then again came shadows 
and gloom, whispering in low, troubled accents of 
doubts and fears, upbraiding him with despising the 
religion of his fathers, and following in mad chase 
after phantoms, pageants, and mystical theories. 
Could he not have obtained eternal life without all 
12 


178 


THE STUDENT OF 


this anguish — without heaping disappointment and 
agonies on the gray head of his indulgent sire, and 
crushing down the heart of a pure and angelic 
woman? He had read — he had understood all the 
dogmas of this faith for which he had thus sacrificed 
his earthly all, and did the knowledge bring him 
peaces Did it direct him with more unerring finger 
to the refuge of the weary; had it brought him per- 
manent consolation — strengthened his hopes, or 
given him more assured promises of eternal rest than 
the fold he had forsaken? Alas! his hour of dark- 
ness was on him — his hour of temptation, and he 
writhed beneath the subtle might of his adversary, 
who, knowing well the frailty of human nature, 
presented a thousand suggestions why and where- 
fore he ought to understand the secrets of the Most 
High God, ere he committed himself entirely to the 
fold of this religion which professed to hold from 
the beginning, pure and unsullied, the most holy 
and sublime mysteries of his revealed word : and 
alarmed his sensitive soul, in which the pride of 
human respect yet lingered, by malignant whispers 
of the scorn, contumely and derision of those who 
once looked on him as a model of learning, piety, 
and talent. Suppose, after enduring all, he should 
be deceived by crafty doctrines and the embodied 
sentiments of cunning men, and, oh! terrible 
thought, suppose that soul, for whose salvation the 
kindest emotions of his nature had bled, should at 
last be wrecked on uncertain and mysterious shores? 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


179 


He tried to pray, but his spirit was fettered as if by 
the shadow of death; he could not pour forth the 
anguish of his heart in contrite tears — they seemed 
dried in their fountains; he could utter no sighs 
of repentance, for, alas! the whirlwind of human 
passion — its pride, its knowledge, its servile respect 
for science and explanatory meanings, was rushing 
in wild confusion over the interior perceptions of his 
soul. He* walked the floor with uncertain and waver- 
ing steps, his heart throbbing with convulsive throes, 
his brain reeling, and brow burning with the fever 
of his mind, when suddenly on the evening air the 
mellow peal of the deep-toned Angelus stole along, 
and he started from his painful reverie, as its 
musical, though invisible, pinions came floating like 
a blessing around him, commemorating in harmoni- 
ous numbers the incarnation of the Son of God, and 
reminding, with touching fidelity, of that unparal- 
leled love which had opened for mankind the portals 
of heaven: and as he knelt' before the niche con- 
taining the little shrine of our Lady, now lit up with 
gleaming halos from the rich tints of the setting 
sun, he exclaimed ^^My God! my Father! forsake 
me not in this strait — in this my hour of weakness,” 
and while he prayed, sweet tears welled up from 
peaceful founts, until the storm passed away, and he 
was calm. 

Mrs. Botelar had entered the room just as Claver- 
ing uttered his imploring prayer, and after kneeling 
silently and reciting the Angelus, she approached 


180 


THE STUDENT OF 


him and laid her hand gently on his shoulder, as 
he sat with his face buried in his hands in deep and 
undisturbed thought. 

My child, she said. 

Dear madam! ” he replied, starting. 

Think me not intrusive, said the lady, sitting 
down beside him; but those eyes on whose heavy 
lids I see traces of tears — those pallid cheeks and 
mournful sighs, tell me too plainly that you endure 
some hidden anguish; that you need human and 
friendly sympathy! How is it, my child? 

Thank you, kind friend,” he answered. 
need consolation — religious advice, perhaps — yes, I 
need spiritual direction, for truly within the last 
few hours it has appeared as if my soul was un- 
loosened from her moorings in the haven of God^s 
mercy, to become the sport of terrible phantoms!” 

After a few moments'’ silence, Mrs. Botelar in- 
quired if he had made his first confession. 

No,” he replied; and in this I have perhaps 
erred.” 

No doubt — no doubt of it, my child,” said the 
lady earnestly; ^‘for, whether in temporal or spirit- 
ual afiiictions, our nature requires sympathy. When 
the sorrows of earth oppress us, and troubles, brought 
on by ourselves, weigh down our spirits, and we are 
conscious of having wronged friends and given 
scandal to foes, when everything seems to conspire 
against us, and nothing but evil surrounds us, when 
our hearts, heavy and repentant, would fain recall 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


181 


every cause, however humiliating to ourselves, which 
had brought such perplexity and grief on us, how 
consoling is it to unbosom one^s self to a kind and 
impartial friend who, while he does not shrink from 
admonishing and rebuking us, pities our case with 
tender feelings and fast flowing tears, while we ac- 
cuse ourselves of every fault, however heinous, and 
beg him in our penitence to plead for us with 
those whom we had perhaps undeservedly wronged! 
We do not hesitate to do this! to a noble nature 
there is a virtue, a kind of moral grandeur in ac- 
knowledging our faults when we are convinced of our 
errors, particularly if they have been productive 
of disastrous and grievous consequences. How 
earnestlydo we then endeavor to repair all wrongs 
and injuries which have sprung from our disorders! 
In grief, our hearts would literally break, if we 
could not to some kind and sympathizing nature 
pour forth the anguish that throbs within them! 
These, my dear child, are simple truths, which can 
be easily applied to a higher and holier object. 
Your mind has been, just now, distracted with 
doubts and fears ; you are seeking rest for your 
^eary soul — pccicBS you know that your past life has 
been stained by sins— perhaps mortal; you yourself 
best know to what extent, and in what manner, but 
feeling that over your own conscience you would be 
too lenient a judge: — fllled with penitence, and an 
ardent desire to return to that father whose smiles 
you have forfeited, you are disturbed and perplexed! 


182 


THE STUDENT OF 


But why is this? There is a simple condition by 
which you may obtain consolation! Go, my child, 
at once, with all the misdeeds of your past life; your 
penitence, doubts, distractions and fears, to that 
tribunal of penance, where the divinely delegated 
and duly authorized priest of God sits ready to listen 
and minister to your various wants. Yes, my be- 
loved child, there you will find a kind and impartial 
friend; one who, under an obligation of eternal 
secrecy, will hear with pity and tears the long con- 
cealed sins which have festered in your soul, and in 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, will apply the 
healing sentence of absolution, which will if you are 
truly penitent before the searching eye of Almighty 
God, be ratified in heaven, amid the rejoicing of 
angelic hosts. Go, my child; hasten to your good 
physician, who will apply this heavenly balm with 
all its consoling influences to your woilnded spirit.” 

You advise me well, kindest and best of 
friends,” said Clavering: will at least visit 

Father Francis Aylmer this evening: and without 
doubt he will give me good, and perhaps consolatory 
counsel.” 

He was received in a kind and paternal manner by 
Father Francis, and after conversing a short time 
on indifferent subjects, said : 

As you know, sir, I have informed myself well 
on the faith and observances of the Catholic church, 
and although I am fully satisfied that there can be 
no other religion holding such indisputable claims 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


183 


to the authenticity of a divine origin, or bearing in 
its sacramental institutions such plain and unequivo- 
cal indications of its eternal Founder, and though I 
have been compelled to choose this religion or infi- 
delity, because I know, if this is false, none other 
can be true ; I have this day. Father Francis, passed 
hours of intense and agonizing thought, fearing 
that at last I might be deceived and irretrievably 
lost.^^ 

And why, my friend,^^ asked he, kindly taking 
the young man^s hand in his own, why should 
you have such fears as these — what form did they 
assume ? 

I can scarcely define them, sir,” answered Cla- 
vering ; but no doubts of the existence and prior 
rights of the Catholic church before and above all 
others disturbed me. A kind of burning anxiety 
to understand and reduce, by the aid of human 
science, the mysteries of this faith to the level of 
my own reason, tormented me, I believe, among 
other things.” 

A. natural mistake,” replied Father Francis, 
^^and one which was made by a wise man, a master 
in Israel, in the days of Christ. You recollect, 
perhaps, how Nicodemus came at night to our Lord, 
declaring his belief in his divine mission, and tes- 
tifying to the truth of his miracles, expecting, no 
doubt, to hear words which would explain to his 
comprehension the secret of those miracles, and also 
a new way to eternal rest : and how^ after our Lord, 


184 


THE STUDENT OF 


with wonderful condescension, had declared unto 
him the necessity of regeneration, he, dissatisfied, 
exclaimed, ^ How can these things be ? ^ He went 
curiously, expecting to hear words subject to the 
control of human knowledge respecting the doc- 
trines of our Lord, who declared unto him words of 
the Spirit, which his proud and arrogant mind, 
ignorant of the simple precepts of faith, rejected. 
If we could understand and comprehend all the mys- 
teries of religion, it would no longer be an object 
of veneration, for men do not hold that in high 
esteem with which they are perfectly familiar ; 
where, then, would be the necessity of faith ? Can 
any theologian in Christendom explain the mystery 
of the incarnation, or reduce to human reason the 
numerical difficulties of the adorable Trinity ? Or 
the process by which water was turned into wine, or 
by what wonderful means Christ fed five thousand 
men, from a basket containing only seven loaves 
and a few fishes ? Or how the Holy Ghost, the in- 
finite, the eternal and omnipresent Spirit, assumed 
first the form of tongues of fire, and again the small 
and delicate disguise of a dove, which was appar- 
ently a dove, and yet the Holy Ghost ? By what 
means our Lord entered the room at Emmaus where 
his disciples sat, when all the doors and windows 
were closed ? He was a spirit, and yet a bt>dy imma- 
terial, as is proved by his standing thus mysteriously 
among them, flesh and blood, because Thomas, at 
his bidding, laid his finger in his wounded side. 


BLE>THEIM FOREST. 


185 


and, finding his body a palpable and human sub- 
stance, exclaimed, ^ My Lord and my God ? ^ I 
have mentioned these prominent and incomprehen- 
sible mirfcles as they have occurred to me ; there 
are numberless others presented to our faith, equally 
inexplicable to human reason, which — belonging 
properly to the high counsels of God — it becomes us 
his creatures to receive without cavilling or doubt. 
You remind me, my dear young friend, of a man 
who has studied and mastered the theory of music, 
without ever having seen an instrument of harmony ; 
he understands all its difficulties, its notes, chords, 
time, and the position of its grandest passages, but 
nothing, absolutely nothing of its delightful melody, 
its soul-subduing infiuences, its charming power; 
because he has never touched an instrument, or 
heard one call forth the witchery of music. You 
have read in the sacred writings that our Lord, in 
opening the eyes of the blind man, first anointed 
them with clay, thus making it the visible minister 
of his power, although he, as God, might have said. 
Be ye opened, 0 ye closed eyes, and straightway 
those senses, wrapped in impenetrable darkness, 
would have obeyed the mandate. But He, in 
mercy to us, has wisely adapted all things in reli- 
gion to the consolation of our weak, human nature, 
by giving us sensible signs through which we may 
receive the necessary graces. I am his vessel of 
clay — his consecrated minister — his authorized ser- 
vant, and, as such, my child, allow me this privi- 


186 


THE STUDENT OF 


lege : I call on you by those contrite tears which do 
honor to your manhood, to humble yourself, in this 
auspicious hour, before the Lord in the sacred tri- 
bunal of penance ; here kneel, and pour forth the 
turmoil and strife of your mind, the actions of your 
past life wherein you have offended high heaven, 
and with a penitent heart yield yourself, with child- 
like simplicity, to our Lord at the foot of thecross/^ 

The voice of Father Francis trembled, and a tear 
of commiseration moistened his meekly expressive 
eyes, as he reached forth his hand and put on the 
surplice preparatory to the performance of the sacred 
function. 

Overcome by his inclination and the reasons he 
had heard, and feeling the necessity of following 
the advice of the pious man. Clavering knelt. . . . 
Jubilate, the angels in heaven sing, and are rejoic- 
ing The fountains of his soul, touched hy 

the finger of mercy, were unsealed, and in each tear 
glistened a gem of repentance unto eternal life. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


187 


CHAPTER XV. 

TAKING THE VEIL — AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 

A PARTY of gentlemen had been invited by Mrs. 
Botelar to dine with Clavering, and as they sat over 
the dessert, discussing various pleasant topics, refer- 
ring every subject with courteous affability to him, 
Mr. Arlington, one of the guests inquired of Mrs. 
Botelar if she had heard recently from Mount 
Carmel; ^^If not,” said he, I have good news for 
you, madam.” 

^^Ah! Mr. Arlington, you are always the bearer 
of good, tidings whenever any thing of peculiar 
interest occurs in the religious world,” replied the 
lady, ^^and I am sure your news is of this kind 
to-day.” 

^^Yes,” he answered, smiling: ^‘1 am glad, 
though, ^pon honor, to find that you look upon me 
as so sacred a harbinger; but perhaps you have 
already heard, Mrs. Botelar, that two ladies are to 
receive the black veil to-morrow.” 

Behindhand for once, with good news,” she 
replied pleasantly. I am a few days in advance of 
you on this occasion, Mr. Arlington. The reverend 
mother notified me of the expected event last week. 


188 


THE STUDENT OF 


Mr. Clavering, would you not like to witness the 
ceremony? If so, we’ll go.” 

^^Were I to give you a perfectly candid answer, 
madam,” said he, it would be in the negative. I 
have still lingering about me a Protestant horror for 
the monastic or conventual life; but this I am per- 
fectly willing to impute to my ignorance of the sub- 
ject.” 

'‘Give every doubtful cause a fair hearing, Mr. 
Clavering, and your prejudices may be removed,” 
said Mr. Arlington. 

"Exactly, exactly, thank you,” he replied. "I 
will take the first step towards doing so by witness- 
ing this ceremony to-morrow; but what of this in- 
stitution or order, does it rank among the ancient 
glories of the church, or has it been recently estab- 
lished?” 

"It is not very modern,” answered Mr. Arlington. 
" The order of Carmelites received its rules in 1209 
from Albert, patriarch of Jerusalem. It derives its 
name from Mount Carmel, the place of its institu- 
tion, and is among the most austere orders in the 
church.” 

" Are they cloistered nuns, or do they go through 
the world on errands of mercy, like the Sisters of 
Charity?” inquired Clavering. 

" They are cloistered nuns. In this, our day, when 
faith is so little understood by those who are sepa- 
rated from our communion, it can be scarcely under- 
stood how it is that a society of pious women the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


189 


object of whose whple life is to work out their own 
salvation, and pray continually for the salvation of 
others, can he of any possible utility in the commu- 
nity? Some object that they are drones in the hive 
of society, others that they might diffuse in the 
world those works of benevolence and piety, which 
would benefit as well as edify mankind. But it is 
evident that to be shut out. from the world is their 
very duty to the world; to be in leisure is their busi- 
ness, and as well might we call a schoolmaster inac- 
tive, or a private circle anti-social, as an institution 
which devotes itself to repentance, intercession, and 
giving of thanks for the benefit of the secular, as a 
propitiation in the sight of heaven, and a witness 
and warning before men, as the home of the help- 
less, and refuge of the downcast, as a common 
mould of character, and a bond of mutual love, and 
a principle of united worship to all, because it is 
successively the school and confessional of each; 
and as we believe in the efficacy of prayer, so must 
we prize those confraternities and institutions whose 
whole labor is one of spiritual love and charity 
towards the whole human family; but I must really 
beg pardon, said Mr. Arlington, somewhat embar- 
rassed, when, on looking round, he perceived that 
all present were listening in silence to what he was 
saying; I only intended drawing an equal parallel 
between the active errands of external mercy and 
devotion to the suffering sons and daughters of 
earth, which the Sisters of Charity observe in their 


190 


THE STUDEHT OF 


rule, and those of a spiritual nature, which light up 
with such lustre the shades of the cloister/^ 

“1 feel much interested, I assure you,” said 
Clavering; ^^and when I remember that so many 
among the great fathers and bishops of the church 
were monies^ and have been the instruments in the 
hands of Providence for the maintenance of ortho- 
doxy, I am surprised at myself for allowing those 
narrow, contracted prejudices to lurk about me.” 

True, true, they were, indeed,” continued Mr. 
Arlington. And who although a monk, was more 
busy in the crowd of men than Chrysostom? or so 
influential in theology as Augustin? To whom is our 
personal faith more indebted than to Athanasius? 
who had greater sway in king^s courts than Ambrose? 
who more faithful in practical lessons than Pope 
Gregory? Even in those times when the sloth and 
corruption of a few brought disgrace upon all monas- 
tic bodies, they were all, as we well know, the pre- 
servers of ancient literature.” 

"^And, as it regards the other sex,” said Mrs. 
Botelar, which you just now warmly defended, so 
far from making women idle and profitless, it is the 
only institution (I speak generally of the monastic 
rule) which has hitherto been able to give dignity, 
and, as it were, rank to female celibacy, and to 
secure an honorable and useful application of it.” 

^^And, moreover,” continued Mr. Arlington, 
^^do not monastic institutions, above all others, 
most accurately and comprehensively fulfil the code 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


191 


of Gospel commandments, whether those which the 
present age does not fulfil, or those which it does ? 
Indeed there cannot, in the opinion of any reflect- 
ing and impartial person, be a doubt who the 
instances are, and where we must look for them, of 
obedience to the precepts of ^ not resisting evil,^ of 
' turning the cheek to the smiter," of " selling that 
which we have and giving alms,^ of ‘ selling all we 
have," in order to he perfect; of having 'our loins 
girded about, and lights burning," of 'watching and 
praying always," of 'taking no thought for the 
morrow," of 'taking up the cross daily," and a 
number of other acts, in which are found all the 
humility and abnegation which are so essential to 
the perfection of Christian life."" 

"You observed, sir,"" said Clavering, after a 
pause, "that the Carmelite order is one among the 
most austere in the church. May I ask, pray, in 
what acts these austerities consist ? "" 

" Certainly,"" replied Mr. Arlington. " Absti- 
nence from all that can flatter the appetite, except 
in cases of illness, long fasts and late vigils, 
besides many rigorous works of penance and morti- 
fication; these, with their practical evangelical 
poverty, entitle it without doubt to its austere 
character. But really, dear madam,"" said he, 
turning to Mrs. Botelar, "the luxurious fare before 
us presents too striking aoontrast with those rigorous 
fasts and long seasons of abstinence and mortification; 
it is enough to make us worldlings ashamed of our 


192 


THE STUDEHT OF 


pampered appetites, and I think it would be more 
politic in us to change the subject/^ 

Clavering^s emotions were painful, as he, the 
next day, entered the beautiful little chapel attached 

to the convent in A street, for he was about to 

witness a scene which to his imagination had always 
been clothed with the deepest solemnity and sadness. 
This feeling was not at all diminished as he observed 
the massive iron grate on the left of the altar, with 
its black curtain hanging in heavy and soHibre folds 
to the floor, particularly when he thought it would 
soon fall, an emblem of eternal separation, between 
two favored beings and that world which their 
virtues, intelligence, and piety had so well adorned. 
The chapel was soon densely crowded with persons, 
whose anxious faces were all turned with an im- 
patient gaze towards the veiled choir, while their 
half whispered wonder and anticipations of a novelty 
were scarcely checked by the devout posture and 
low uttered prayers of those who were, in all 
humility, offering up their Teverence and love to 
Almighty God. Had Clavering been less pure in 
purpose or less humble in spirit, the unquiet sounds 
which pervaded the multitude, and the constantly 
changing aspect of the dense crowd of human faces 
which thronged around him, might have sent the 
hectic with a feverish irritability mounting to his 
cheeks, but as it was, he only turned away with a 
feeling of weariness, and, gathering together every 
thought that wandered, fixed his eyes in sweet con- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


193 


templation on holier and more peaceful objects. 
The altar was dressed with exquisite care and taste. 
There all was quiet, and the mysterious Host, veiled 
from profane eyes, was enshrined in light and flowers 
whose shades rivalled the glowing hues of dying 
autumn mingled with the carnation tints of spring. 
There religious charity and reverential affection had 
laid their gifts to make fair and beautiful the spot 
daily consecrated to the God of all, and where,” 
thought he, as he gazed with rapt attention, ‘^Oh! 
where, if not on the sacred altar, should the rich 
and beautiful things of earth be gathered — where 
a more worthy spot than this for treasures from the 
deep, and gold from the mine, and dewy flowers 
which send upward their tribute of thanksgiving in 
sweet exhalations!” A lamp hung before it, whose 
rays are never extinguished; ^'but here,” again 
thought Clavering, ^^it burns through the long 
bright days, the pensive and religious twilight, and 
the silent watches of the lonely night, like a beacon 
star whose beams are but a faint emblem of where 
the undying soul should direct its hopes.” 

A few exquisite paintings decorated the walls, and 
the silent though expressive canvas arrested many 
a wandering and careless eye, and taught them, 
while they rested on those holy subjects, sweet les- 
sons of faith, hope, and charity. Suddenly the 
raising of the curtain which veiled the choir aroused 
Clavering from his reflections ; a burst of music 
thrilled through the church, and the most reverend 

13 


194 


THE STUHEKT OF 


archbishop and officiating clergy entered in their 
rich vestments, and the nuns in their full habits as 
they came into the choir two by two, uttering a low 
chant, and prostrating themselves before the altar 
in regular succession, made the whole scene solemn 
and impressive. The superior then led forward to 
their seats, next to the grate which separated them 
from the altar, the two novices, who, sixteen months 
before, had made their first profession, and taken 
the white veil. Except the veil and white mantle, 
they wore the dress of the order, which consists of 
a brown woollen robe confined by a leathern belt 
around the waist, from which hangs their rosary. 
A linen band conceals the upper portion of the fore- 
head, surrounds the face, and is closely pinned 
under the chin ; then, opening in a wider fold to 
cover the throat, it is concealed by the large woollen 
cape or scapular which forms part of their dress. 
When holding intercourse with strangers, or when 
they appear in the choir to recite their office or 
attend mass, a black veil entirely conceals their 
features. Mass was offered up by the most reverend 
archbishop, after which an energetic and appropriate 
address was made by one of the clergy to the novices. 
They then, through an opening in the grate, re- 
ceived the most Holy Eucharist* The superior now 
stepped forward ^nd placed in the hand of each a 
long white wax taper dressed with fiowers, and the 
sweet, though trembling voice of Sister Cecile 
chanted distinctly, in Latin, these words : ‘^Succor 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


195 


me. Lord 1 according to thy promise, and let me not 
be confounded in my expectations ; after which 
she removed from their heads the white veils that 
covered them, and Clavering^s inmost soul was 
touched as he saw tears of happy devotion stealing 
in sweet torrents over the cheeks of those two wise 
virgins, who, like those of whom Jesus spoke, were 
determined to keep their lamps ever trimmed, filled 
with oil, and burning, ready for the coming of the 
celestial bridegroom. The black veil was then 
handed to the superior by the archbishop. Their 
tranquil faces were now veiled from the world, and 
Sister Oecile again chanted, I will veil my face, 0 
Lord, and admit of no other love.^^ A carpet, bor- 
dered around with roses and pale orange fiowers, 
was in the centre of the choir, on which they now 
prostrated themselves, the white mantles were 
thrown over them, and a Te Deum was intoned and 
sung in solemn and triumphant strains, and the 
pealing of the chapel bell joined in these exultant 
sounds of joy, which seemed to tell the world that 
two more souls had left it with its sins and tempta- 
tions to become the brides of heaven. Tears fell 
copiously, and unrepressed sobs from the mother of 
Sister Oecile, and the friends of both, awakened 
Clavering’s keenest sympathy ; and, although she 
felt it to be a privilege and honor that her child and 
friend should be thus blessed with a vocation to 
serve heaven and heaven alone, maternal and natural 
emotions unsealed the fountains of their hearts, and 


196 


THE STUDEHT OF 


found vent in tears which flowed freely, though 
untainted by sorrow or regret. After the Te Deum 
was over, the two arose from their humble posture, 
and, again receiving the tapers, were crowned with 
wreaths of white blossoms and flowers at the altar 
in the choir dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, which 
was beautifully and appropriately dressed. No tears 
now dimmed their eyes or wet their cheeks, but, 
radiant with smiles, they seemed to triumph in the 
attainment of their most exalted wishes, and warm 
was the greeting and kiss of peace and welcome with 
which each of the sisterhood received them. The 
ceremonies were over, and Clavering was handing 
Mrs. Botelar to her carriage, when he felt a tap on 
his shoulder, and a familiar voice exclaiming, in 
tones of delighted recognition, Why, my dear fel- 
low, how are you ? how are you ? 

He turned round, and his hand was instantly 
grasped by the eccentric Mr. Beverly. 

I am truly rejoiced to see you, sir,^^ said Olaver- 
ing, immediately recognizing him, and introducing 
him to Mrs. Botelar, who at once, and in the most 
affable manner, offered him a seat in her carriage, 
but this he gratefully declined, saying : 

^^With your permission, madam, I will rob you 
of Mr. Clavering’s company for an hour, if he will 
consent to walk to my hotel with me.” 

‘^Certainly,” replied Mrs. Botelar, ^^if Mr. Clav- 
ering is not afraid of the fatigue ; he scarcely looks 
strong enough to bear so long a walk, but no doubt 


BLEN'HEIM FOREST. 


197 


the society of an old friend will refresh and cheer 
him, so, gentlemen, hoping that I shall have the 
pleasure of seeing you both this evening, I wish you 
good day.^^ They lifted their hats as the carriage 
drove off, and Mr. Beverly exclaimed : 

^^My dear Clavering, this meeting is quite as 
unexpected to me as to yourself ! I little thought 
when we parted a few months ago at Blenheim 
Forest that our next meeting would be in a Catholic 
convent in Baltimore/^ 

am sure,^^ said Clavering, smiling languidly, 
'Mt is a pleasure which I did not at all anticipate ; 
in fact, I am a little surprised at finding you here.” 

Oh ! my dear fellow, you must make up your 
mind never to feel astonished at anything concern- 
ing myself. But how did you like the ceremony of 
taking the veil ? No doubt it was a novel one to 
you.” 

True,” replied Clavering, ^‘and the routine of 
conventual life quite as strange until yesterday, 
when a friend enlightened me a little on the sub- 
ject.” 

expect,” said Mr. Beverly, laughing, ^^you 
thought as I once did, that the life of a religious 
was one without either temptation or hardship. 
Our beau ideals were finely painted in those delight- 
ful old romances which abound in tales and legends 
of ruined abbeys, where a cheerful sisterhood, as 
simple as the children they daily fed with bread and 
butter and goat^s milk, passed uninterruptedly their 


198 


THE STUDENT OF 


happy lives away, embroidering, tending flowers, 
playing the lute, and making whey, without a care 
beyond a misplaced stitch in their needle work, a 
broken string, or curdled milk/^ 

This,” replied Clavering, would indeed be a . 
life of physical ease, and one perfectly agreeable to 
human nature, more so than the vow of practical 
obedience and poverty.” 

^^Do you remember Miss Betty Wilkins?” ab- 
ruptly inquired Mr. Beverly. 

She who was so concerned about your spiritual 
welfare, if I mistake not,” said Clavering. 

Yes. Well, is it not a little singular that while 
the finger of scorn and contumely is incessantly 
pointed at the inmates of a convent, and while they 
are decried as slothful and useless, when in fact 
their whole lives, from the earliest dawn of day until 
the mid-watches of the night, are one uninterrupted 
scene of industry and self-denial, that thousands 
who, like Miss Betty Wilkins, float about on the 
surface of society, and belong exclusively to the do- 
nothing genus, should not only be tolerated, but 
also held in high and holy estimation ? How much 
better, how much more edifying is it to see ^ breth- 
ren dwelling together in unity, ^ and exercising all 
those beautiful and sacred traits of patience, for- 
bearance, and charity towards each other, which 
alone characterize the truly humble and pious Chris- 
tian, than to spend a lifetime without an object be- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


199 


yond an officious meddling with the affairs of oth- 
ers.” 

‘‘You are severe, sir,” replied Clavering ; “ would 
it not be better to qualify your expressions a little ? 
I know many seculars whose lives and time are truly 
devoted to the good of others, and whose facilities 
for finding out the poverty-stricken and afflicted, as 
well as the infiuence they may exercise in procuring 
them relief, render them inestimable to charity and 
religion.” 

“You are right,” observed Mr. Beverly, “but 
after all, what are they but nuns at large 9 they only 
practise in the world all those dispositions which 
are so cherished in the convent. But the injustice, 
of which I was speaking just now, is really enough 
to provoke a better man than myself. As to the 
class to which Miss Betty belongs, they are good for 
nothing on earth but to fill up certain niches and 
chinks in society, and after all their vaporing about 
good works, why, sir, by this and by that, the effects 
of them remind me of the old nursery song about 
smoke, which tells us very wisely and gravely that, 
though the yard is full, and the house is full, you 
can^t catch a thimbleful. But, by the by, how long 
have you been in Baltimore, Clavering ? ” 

“ Some five or six weeks, I believe ; but may I be 
allowed to ask where you are from last, dear sir ? ” 

“ From last ! ” exclaimed Mr. Beverly; “lam from 
everywhere, and, on my veracity, I feel as if I were 
progressing on to nowhere. Four weeks ago I spent 


200 


THE STUDENT OF 


a couple of days among the Shakers at Lebanon, 
but I could not possibly stand it any longer ; they 
are, without doubt, the cleanest people on earth, 
but their creed is two petrifying in its elfects for 
such a temperament as mine, so I hurried off — ^took 
French leave of it — and where next do you think I 
went 

I am sure," replied Clavering, I cannot imag- 
ine ; if we lived in the days of genii, I should expect 
to hear that you had been to Constantinople, per- 
forming your ablutions and devotions at the mosque 
of St. Sophia." 

I have been doing worse than that, Clavering," , 
said Mr. Beverly, gravely ; have been to Nauvoo, 
among the Mormons ; but, on my honor, I met with 
my match there, I think I " 

How so ?" 

Why, thus : they are something like myself, 
belong neither to heaven nor earth. Their leader is 
an enterprising fellow, though ; he was tired of the 
old song of Scripture authority for every new doc- 
trine and schism ; he thought the plan was begin- 
ning to wear out, that the theme was exhausted ; so 
he made a Bible for himself, which he says is written 
on plates of gold. Of course this is a great recom- 
mendation to the crowd, and, like the glittering veil 
of the arch impostor of Khorassan, conceals much 
hideous deformity. But, Clavering," said Mr. Bev- 
erly, looking intently in his face, ^^my dear fellow, 

I would fain hope that this pallid countenance, and 


BLE^^HEIM FOREST. 


201 


one or two other in dicat ions^of feeble health which 
I see about you, are but the result of the long and 
fatiguing walk you have taken. 

I cannot tell,” answered he, smiling gently; 

perhaps they may he; but I have had so little 
time within the last year to think of myself, or any 
of the numerous symptoms peculiar to persons of a 
delicate constitution, that if there is a change, it has 
been so gradual that I have not observed it.” 

Ah! ” said Mr. Beverly, pressing his arm kindly, 
'‘your trials within that time have neither been ' few 
nor far between,^ my dear Olavering, I heard all 
about them from Stanly, our mutual friend, and of 
course many of the good-natured and kind rumors 
afloat about you ; some say you are crazy, some vis- 
ionary, some foolish, and others pity you, and say, 
'Poor fellow! he had a weak mind with all his 
learning; ^ but I,” continued he, slapping him en- 
ergetically on the shoulder, " I say you are right; 
you are a hero to brave it all. After all, it is the 
only religion for which one has to make sacriflce, for 
which a man has to stand forth and do battle in the 
name of his great leader — God — (here Mr. Bever- 
ly reverently raised his hat a moment) against an 
upbraiding world, for which one has to forsake 
father, mother, ties, loves, and kindred! Sir, I re- 
spect you for your moral courage! By my honor, 
there is something chivalrous in becoming a 
Catholic ! ” 

Clavering was quite aware that Mr. Beverly was 


202 


THE STUDEKT OF 


a perfect original, but little prepared for such 
decided proofs of his warm-hearted and quaint 
genius, and while he looked at him with astonish- 
ment, replied: Methinks, my friend, you could 
well appreciate this holy religion of which you are 
such an ardent admirer. Let me persuade you to 
practise all those sacred tenets and precepts with 
which you are so well acquainted; believe me, sir, 
you will find everything that can ennoble and exalt 
a sonl like yours in them.” 

“ Some other time — some other time. Claver- 
ing,” said Mr. Beverly, in a serious tone; ^‘believe 
me when I tell you, I am not the thoughtless fellow 
I appear to be. No! I revere the example you 
have so nobly set me, and will — but lo! here we 
are, at our journey^s end; come up to my room, and 
let us offer a libation to the days of ^ auld lang 
syne.'’ ” 

Thank you, thank you,” said Olavering; ^^but, 
like you, I must say ^some other time.^ I have an 
indispensable engagement with a reverend gentle- 
man at three o’clock, and it is now twenty minutes 
past one. Do not forget that Mrs. Botelar will ex- 
pect to see you this evening.” 

shall do myself the honor, certainly,” said he, 
pressing Clavering’s hand warmly, ^^and will avail 
myself of the occasion to make more particular in- 
quiries concerning your health.” 

Clavering arrived at home in time to join Mrs. 
Botelar at the dinner table, when, excusing himself. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


203 


as soon as lie could with propriety do so, he hurried 
off to fulfil his engagement with Father Francis.* 

* The author is indebted to an article in the U. S. Gath. Maga- 
zine, vol. i., on Monastic Institutions, for several ideas in the fore- 
going chapter. 


204 


THE STUDEHT OF 


CHAPTER XVL 

SKETCHES OF CHARACTEE — ODDITY AHD PIETY. 

^^Good morning. Madam Botelar, good morning; 
I hope I find you perfectly well to-day, exclaimed 
a tall and rather strangely dressed lady, entering 
the parlor hastily and without ceremony. 

Good morning, Mrs. Talmadge; pray be seated, 
said Mrs. Botelar, rising and courteously offering 
her hand; am really glad to see you.^^ 

‘^1 hope you are,” answered her visitor, taking a 
chair, though the fact of ther matter is just this: 
there is so much insincerity among what the world 
calls polite society, that it is really a sort of penance 
for me to mingle with it. They are all so high up 
in the clouds that they scarcely ever have anything 
better than a dish of vapors for their friends; this 
sort of fiummery donT suit me, so I take my own 
course, which you know is rather a helter-skelter 
one, and try to keep my heart in the right place ! ” 

Mrs. Talmadge,” responded Mrs. Botelar, is 
quite a philosopher; it is true, however, as she says, 
her heart is in the right place, but there are some 
qualities which it is quite as necessary to keep in 
check.” 

I cry your mercy,” exclaimed Mrs. Talmadge, 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


205 


interrupting her, and wincing a little under her 
quiet reproof; “ you know I must have my say out, 
good, bad, or indifferent though it may be ! ” 

■ “ So you will, my dear,^' answered Mrs. Botelar 
kindly, and morels the pity! I am often aston- 
ished that a lady of your fine sense, good heart, 
and really good qualities, should be so extremely 
incautious, and allow me to say imprudent in her 
language, as you frequently are, and at the same 
time exercise so little judgment with regard to your 
expressions. ” 

Dear heart alive! cried the incorrigible lady, 
laughing heartily; certainly out of all these little 
goods I shall be able, after awhile, to patch up 
quite a large one, at least large enough to cover 
some of my misdemeanors; meanwhile I will let 
good judgment- with its solemn owks face, off.” 

Olavering entered the room just then, but seeing 
a stranger in such confidential conversation with 
Mrs. Botelar, was about retiring again, when she^ 
called to him, and, with a lurking mischief in her 
eye, introduced him to Mrs. Talmadge. She 

sprang up, and seizing his hand, exclaimed: You 
are the very person I wanted, above all others, to 
see — a convert — a Virginian! and had trouble about 
your religion in the bargain! Shake hands — shake 
hands — don't mind my way; Fm rough — but nothing 
for that — another shake; a convert! well, blessed be 
God for all things!” 

Clavering was at a perfect loss;. he had never 


206 


THE STUDENT OF 


met with one of this genus before, and was undeter- 
mined how to address her as she sat down again 
quite exhausted! Mrs. Botelar, in her quiet way, 
enjoyed the scene, but asked Olavering some indif- 
ferent questions for the purpose of giving him time 
to recover his self-possession; at last he observed: — 
Virginians, madam, should never meet each other 
as strangers.^'’ 

‘^No, never,” she answered, never; give me a 
shake of the hand, a grip, if you will, before all the 
bowing and courtesies this side of France, and a 
kind hearty word, I don^t care if it is rough, before 
all the mincing remarks about the weather this — or 
the sunshine that — or the rain the other, that ever 
the earth knew.” 

Exactly,” answered Clavering, beginning to 
understand the kind of character he had to deaf 
with; '^sincerity is a virtue which ranks high above 
the maxims of the world.” 

True, my dear sir,” observed Mrs. Botelar, 
true; but remember the old proverb of ^whoever 
renders truth disagreeable commits high treason 
against virtue.^ ” 

^^E’ow, Madam Botelar, I know that is a thrust 
at me; but I give you fair warning, if you preach 
so many sermons at me, I shall become so disagree- 
able that you will he the cause of the very treason 
of which you speak. But, tell me, how do you 
like this shawl of mine ? well, I bought it from a 
poor German immigrant, who has known better 


BLEH'HEIM FOREST. 


207 


days, and who is literally starving for the want of 
those little necessary comforts to which she has been 
accustomed. It was her last piece of finery, and 
although it is gaudy, and in rather bad taste, as far 
as color and design go, as I stood in need of a shawl, 
I bought this at her earnest request, and intend 
wearing it too. Ihn very independent in matters of 
this kind, Mr. Clavering; but, hey day,^^ continued 
Mrs. Talmadge, looking at her watch, two 
o’clock! bless me, I must be off. I must be at the 
asylum by three, to consult with the lady managers 
about getting two destitute orphans in the institu- 
tion.’^ 

^^Good soul,” said Mrs. Botelar, taking her hand, 
and pressing it kindly, ‘^you make me love you 
with all your oddities, because the goodness of your 
excellent and sincere heart imparts the hue of its 
own virtue to every act.” 

Mrs. Talmadge was touched by this unexpected 
proof of Mrs. Botelar’s friendship for her, and looked 
at her a moment in silence, while a tear moistened 
her eyes; but hers was not the nature to give way 
to emotion of this kind, and she turned with a smile 
to Clavering, and observed dryly: This is the way 
that the queen of Sheba and I always end our quar- 
rels.” 

Mrs. Botelar was called out an instant to see a 
mendicant at the door, and as she walked out, her 
long dress majestically sweeping the fioor, and her 
fine person, erect, Mrs. Talmadge lifted her hands. 


208 


THE STUDENT OF 


and whispered, ^^Now, in your life, sir, did you 
ever see so stately a body; she looks like a fine old 
picture, walking about in one^s dreams. Mr. Clav- 
ering, come and see me to-morrow, I want to talk 
about the dear old State, and maybe, cry a little 
too; but no, I hate crying people! Come, though, 
at any rate; for, if you do not, I shall bring my 
work round, and inflict my company the whole day 
on Mrs. Botelar and yourself. Promise me, or 
after all my threats I must positively remain at 
home to receive the king^s messengers — it is my 
reception day.^^ 

So closely and kindly pressed he could not refuse; 
so giving her an affirmative answer, she shook hands 
and darted off, almost upsetting Mrs. Botelar as 
they met unexpectedly at the parlor door. Stop- 
ping an instant to apologize, and utter a hasty 
adieu, she proceeded rapidly on for the purpose of 
accomplishing the charitable object of which she 
had spoken. Bless me, bless me,’^ said Mrs. 
Botelar, with a little frown just perceptible on her 
brow, what rough people one meets with some- 
times in the world; I am quite in a tremor ! Mrs. 
Talmadge^is a good, excellent creature, but too 
rough indeed! 

Can I assist you, madam? ” 

Oh no, thank you, my dear; the puckers are 
all straight now, I believe. Let us sit down and 
enjoy a little quiet chat, which I always need after 
spending an hour with Mrs. Talmadge. When I 


BLEN^HEIM FOREST. 


209 


was young I could have enjoyed her queer points, 
but they fatigue me now! By the by, are you 
going to see her? ” 

Yes, madam, to-morrow morning I am to spend 
an hour there. But pray enlighten me concerning 
the king^s messengers?^’ 

I am glad to hear it — go by all means in time 
to be present at her reception, and if you are not 
amused as well as edified, call me a false prophet. 
You will find her royal envoys clad neither in 
purple or gold — but in the garb of poverty — they 
are those whom she feeds and clothes for the love 
of God. Her piety is unwavering, and its fruits 
never failing; but I really wish Mrs, Talmadge 
would be true to herself; she is an intelligent 
woman, and could be, if she chose, more refined 
and gentle in her manner; but she has set up this 
harum-scarum kind of a character, and so feels 
privileged to act as she pleases.” 

It is a pity, but could she not be persuaded to 
lay aside some of those eccentric qualities? ” 

Oh no, I believe not. I have done all that a 
friend could prudently do to effect this object, but 
without success ; for she is perfectly enchanted with 
her way, and to all my arguments replies, ^ It will 
be all the same a hundred years hence.’ Lead the 
conversation to-morrow to her first Catholic impres- 
sions, and if you are not amused, you may call your 
old friend a false prophet.” 

That evening Clavering spent, as usual, with 


210 


THE STUDENT OF 


Father Francis. He was preparing, with the purest 
and most suitable sentiments, to make his first 
Communion. Boohs had been laid aside, and with 
his Rosary, and the Following of Christ by 
Thomas a Kempis, the hours glided by in sweet 
and tranquil numbers. All was calm; the raging 
storm was hushed, and in blessed hope he awaited 
the coming of his heavenly guest. But a few days 
longer, and the Lord would come under the spotless 
sacramental veil, to abide for a season with him. 
Illimitable praise and thanksgiving be to our Lord 
God, for this beaming way-mark along the shores of 
life, for this refreshment in the wilderness, for this 
consolation amidst the shadows of death, and safe- 
guard beyond. Let us not despair when the thorn 
pierces our hearts, for here is a balm ; let us not 
faint when heat and labor overcome our trembling 
frames, for with a supernatural strength it will bear 
us up : and when tears flow in torrents from broken 
hearts that leaned too securely on earth^s promises, 
here is the kind physician, who, with cords of 
eternal love, will bind the fragments together, whose 
links will ascend upward, in sweet succession, from 
earth to heaven. 

The next day Clavering procured from his kind 
friend the address of Mrs. Talmadge, and after a 
circuitous and fatiguing walk, found himself at her 
door. Her house gave evidence of wealth and style, 
at least everything about it had once been new and 
handsome, but the good lady had so little time to 


BLEiTHEIM FOREST. 


211 


spare from her extensive charities, or devote to any- 
thing beyond the mere domestic details which are 
absolutely necessary in a family, that everything 
wore a dingy and disordered appearance. He was 
ushered in by a little girl, and found Mrs. Talmadge 
comfortably seated by a blazing fire, and knitting 
away on a pair of large coarse yarn stockings, as if 
her life depended on her success. Mr. Clavering! 
how are you? I am truly rejoiced to see you,^^ she 
said, extending her hand with a smile of welcome. 
This he warmly grasped, and reciprocated all her 
kind inquiries with a sincerity of manner perfectly 
congenial with her own, and which appeared to 
afford her the most unmitigated pleasure. I am 
so delighted to find that Madam Botelar, with her 
grand, stately airs, has not petrified you,’"* she ex- 
claimed. 

Should such a deplorable event ever occur, I 
would most assuredly come to Mrs. Talmadge for an 
antidote,” he replied bowing. 

""Ah, well! it will be all the same a hundred years 
hence; but come, draw your chair closer to my work 
table, it will look more cosy, and talk to me, for I 
declare I am almost too busy to look at you; but 
pshaw! nevermind, I donT see Virginians every day, 
so lie there, stockings. I am knitting them for one 
of my Greeks.” 

""Greeks, madam?” asked Clavering in surprise. 

""Did you never hear, Mr. Clavering, what old 


212 


THE STUDENT OF 


John of Roanoke once said to a lady who solicited 
his charity for a fair which was in progress 
do not remember.” 

^^Well, you do remember, though, what a fierce 
old chap this same John Randolph was, and what 
biting sarcasms he could sometimes inflict on his best 
friends?” 

‘^Exactly.” 

‘^He went to visit this lady, and at the termina- 
tion of his visit, as she stood on the portico chatting 
with him, he cast those keen little eyes of his around 
the place, and saw several negroes who appeared 
half starved and literally in tatters. ^ 0 ! Mr. Ran- 
dolph,^ she lisped, rustling her silks, ‘ I have been 
commissioned to beg a donation of you for a fair 
which we are getting up for the benefit of the in- 
digent Greeks.^ ^The Greeks are at your door, 
madam, ^ he replied in a stern voice, and with his 
finger pointing to her ill-treated slaves, while his 
keen penetrating eyes probed her very heart with 
their searching glance. In another instant he was 
in his saddle, and galloping off as if contagion were 
at his heels, for you know that a kinder and more 
benevolent and indulgent master never owned a 
slave, and how bitterly he detested anything like 
tyranny or neglect to those unfortunate creatures, 
whose bondage, as a hereditary and necessary evil, 
has been transmitted with all its train of attendant 
reproaches to us by our forefathers. But, Mr. Ola- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


213 


vering, do allow me to ask how it happens that you 
are a Catholic? I am all curiosity to hear.^^ 

^^Will you allow me the privilege, madam, of 
making the same inquiry of you said Clavering, 
remembering Mrs. Botelar^s injunction; ^'we can 
then compare notes. I have understood that your 
first Catholic impressions are a little remarkable. 

Eemarkable for their queerness, said Mrs. Tal- 
madge, ^^or rather their singularity. But I will 
tell you. I really cannot help laughing sometimes 
when I think of the awful consternation my poor 
dear husband. Jack Talmadge, would be in if he 
could raise his head from the grave, and see me a 
Roman Catholic I He was a deacon in the Presby- 
terian Church in Stonnington, away ofi in the sou^ 
west corner of the old State, and a most excellent 
man he was too ; truly a good man. One morning 
before breakfast he was conning over the ‘ Orthodox 
Organ,^ which he had just received among some 
other papers from Baltimore by the mail, when a 
paragraph printed in capitals under the head of 
^A'WFUL AND TERRIFIC NEWS/ arrested his atten- 
tion. He uttered such a cry of astonishment and 
terror after he had read it, that I thought for an in- 
stant, he had been seized with a mortal illness. " I 
predicted it,^ he cried — ^ they are coming at last.' 
‘Who, my dear ?' I inquired. ‘Who, do you ask ? 
invaders, marauders, idolaters, the papists are com- 
ing.' ‘Pish,' said I, ‘I thought it was the Brit- 
ish I' ‘You won't be so well satisfied, Mrs. Tal- 


214 


THE STUDENT OF 


madge/ he said, becoming desperately calm, and 
pressing the forefinger of his right hand very im- 
pressively into the open palm of his left, while his 
eyes, dilating with dismay, almost started from 
their sockets ; ^ you will not be so well satisfied, I 
say, when you hear that the pope — mark, the pope 
of Kome — is sending over armies disguised as emi- 
grants to lay waste the liberties of our free and 
happy land ; but this is not all, Mrs. Talmadge, no, 
far from being all ; when this is accomplished, 
another pope — another pope, remember — is to be 
sent to America to rule the destiny of free-born mil- 
lions.^ ^ Oh, dear me,^ exclaimed I, becoming 
alarmed too, ^ what is to be done? ^ ' Done — done,’ 

he cried, again starting oif, and waving his arms 
about him in an ecstasy of fear, ^run and collect 
together the Presbytery as soon as possible. I will 
go to our brethren in the lower streets of the town, 
and give the alarm, while you go abroad and sound 
the news in every direction ; yes, we will collect 
them together, and devise ways and means to drive 
these invaders from our shores, with all their wicked- 
ness and car of Juggernaut.’ In his haste he 
stumbled over our large house dog, who lay in his 
way, and falling against the breakfast table, upset 
it and its contents, and striking his head as he fell 
against a china bowl, received a severe wound just 
across his temple. Poor man ! this accident, with 
the excitement he was under, brought on a fever, 
which was not abated by the company of elders and 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


215 


deacons who came every evening to console him, and 
read to him as they sat huddled up around the table 
‘awful disclosures ’ which had been made by anti - 
Catholic societies, and a renegade priest, along with 
Miss Eeed’s narrative of her escape from a convent, 
and Maria Monk, until they were really afraid to go 
home after dark by themselves, but like ‘ burning 
and shining lights,^ as they were of the church, each 
man carried a large glass lantern in one hand, and 
brandished in the other a stout cudgel. I never 
could divine of what they were afraid, from that day 
to this, unless it was of a superannuated old couple 
who lived in the village, and were the only Catholics 
in it. I verily believe,” said Mrs. Talmadge, sadly, 
“these incidents led to my husband^s death finally; 
for he never recovered entirely from the fever into 
which they threw him, but declined gradually in 
health until he died. You may easily imagine, Mr. 
Clavering, what my first impressions of the Catholic 
religion were, from the little circumstances which I 
have just related ; indeed, I sincerely thought it far, 
very far beneath that of Mahomet. In some of the 
papers which I still received from Baltimore, I saw 
the merits of many literary institutions highly eulo- 
gized, and determined, after my estate was settled 
up, to remove thither. A brother of my deceased 
husband resided in the city, and to him I entrusted 
the investment of my mon^, and the purchase of a 
suitable residence, and in a few months we were 
delightfully situated in my new abode, and my chil- 


216 


THE STUDENT OF 


dren in the full enjoyment of all those sources of 
knowledge which a sound and refined education 
requires. Several weeks after our arrival were very 
agreeably occupied in riding and walking about to 
see the various lions of the city ; in fact, you know 
that everything in a large and populous city must 
have presented a novel and delightful contrast to the 
dull routine of a rustic village life, and, I assure 
you, my young people enjoyed it with unrestrained 
zest. I was frequently asked, ^ Have you visited 
the cathedral ? ^ The cathedral indeed ! thought I, 
not for the world would I enter beyond the precincts 
of its enclosures ! I was afraid. I fancied I knew 
a little too much about its trap doors, and vaults, 
and subterranean passages, where the pale and wan- 
dering ghosts of incarcerated men atid women were 
to be seen gliding along in ghostly procession, per- 
forming their midnight penance. I had read all 
these things in the ^ Orthodox Organ,’ s(5 don’t think 
I am exaggerating, Mr. Clavering, don’t I beg of you, 
for I detest exaggeration as much as I do untruth ; 
it is the self-same principle after all, only in a 
greater or lesser degree, which gives rise to both ; 
those villanous pamphlets, those newspapers teem- 
ing with abhorrent falsehoods, all sanctified by being 
the official organs of certain denominations, actually 
warped my mind to that degree, that no imagination, 
however horrible, concerning the Catholic religion, 
and everything connected with it, would have 
seemed at all preposterous. But, woman-like, I 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


217 


began at last to feel a sneaking kind of a curiosity 
to go within the walls of this church, of whose 
beauty and grandeur I had also heard, and, after 
much persuasion, determined to accompany Mr. 
Lindsay, a gentleman with whom my eldest son was 
studying law. I do not precisely remember the 
year in which all this happened ; or the exact date 
of my first visit to a Catholic church. It was, let 
me see, 1827 — 1829 — no ; but never mind, it was 

during the time of the excellent Archbishop W . 

But, Mr. Clavering, you are fatigued ! My poor 
husband used to say to me sometimes, 'Jane my 
dear, you have discovered the secret of perpetual 
motion ; ^ for then, as now, when I began to talk, I 
had no prudential considerations for my listener's 
ears.’’ 

" I assure you, madam, I feel much interested in 
your little narrative, and am anxious to hear of 
your first visit to a Catholic church,” replied Claver- 
ing. 

" Well, it was a dark winter’s day, the very 
clouds seemed to have descended and saturated 
everything with their reeking dampness as they 
rolled in heavy masses along the streets. As Mr. 
Lindsay and myself were ascending the steps, the 
first note of the second vesper bell pealed! I thought 
I was shot! and was so mad at being scared out 
of my wits by a bell, that I did not wish to proceed 
farther, but Mr. Lindsay prevailed, and in we 
walked. But it was solemn!— the far-off tapers — 


218 


THE STUDENT OF 


the reverberating and rejoicing music, the kneeling 
multitude. I forgot in an instant all the mysteri- 
ous tales I had ever heard about papists, until he 
whispered that he could obtain a seat for me near 
the altar. ^ Not for the world, ^ I replied in an 
undertone, all my fears reviving at once; ‘ we will 
sit here,^ and I went into one of the last pews in 
the middle aisle. I did not sit down. I was afraid, 
and thought I would keep my feet ready for a start, 
in case anything extraordinary occurred. After 
gazing furtively around, and seeing that no one dis- 
appeared suddenly under ground, I began to feel 
more composed, and disposed to enjoy the scene. — 
I looked with amazement at the altar, and noticed 
with a feeling akin to pity, the strange costume of 
the priest, and the throwing up of incense, and bow- 
ing to a figure before him, and exclaimed to myself: 
^ They are joined to their idols,^ and was wondering 
which of the saints it could be to whom so much 
attention was paid; for to me, who had never seen 
anything of the kind before, it looked quite out- 
landish enough to be either St. Peter or St. Paul, 
or any other saint that flourished in the olden time, 
when all on a sudden, while through the distance 
and evening gloom my wondering eyes were magni- 
fying it out of all possible human proportions, up it 
rose, and stood, and moved its head around, while 
everybody in the church immediately sprang to 
their feet, and off I started, making my way with all 
possible speed to the door, for I thought a crisis had 


BLEi^HEIM FOREST. 


219 


arrived, and that a general onset was to be made.* 
Mr. Lindsay followed me instantly, thinking that 
I was taken suddenly ill, and when he overtook me, 
as I was rapidly descending the steps, exclaimed: 
^ For God^s sake, madam, what is the matter? you 
look pale; here, lean on my arm.^ 

^ Hush, hush,^ said I in a hoarse whisper; 
^ hurry on, or we shall be blown up; hurry on, hurry 
on.^ 

‘‘‘What can be the matter?^ he again asked, 
looking much alarmed; I believe he thought that a 
violent fit of insanity had seized me; ‘ Mrs. Tal- 
madge, what can have agitated you so? what have 
you seen?^ 

“‘Seen! I have seen priestcraft and wickedness.^ 
“ ‘My dear madam, what under the sun are you 
raving about? On my veracity I cannot compre- 
hend ^ 

“‘Eaving, do you call it? raving, sir? Didn^t 
you see with your own eyes that awful statue with 
the helmet on its head suddenly rise to its feet, like 
a human being, and, at the signal, everybody in the 
church was up, ready for anything?^ 

“Well, he laughed, and laughed, and finally 
roared out, ‘It was the good archbishop!^ and 
laughed again, ‘and the congregation stood while 
they sang the Magnificat.^ 

“ ‘ Come/ said I, ‘ cat me no cats about it; I have 
had quite enough of it ; I don^t enter that door again, 
*A fact. 


220 


THE STUDEHT OF 


that^s all; they can get along vastly well without my 
assistance/ 

''How did it happen, Mrs. Talmadge/^ inquired 
Olavering, who had been much amused, "that you 
ever ventured to approach again? 

" Why thus: Mr. Lindsay became a Catholic soon 
after, and my son in the course of a year or two, 
during which time he read unceasingly those hooks 
which misrepresented Catholicism and represented 
her in her own pure and heavenly colors, and, 
after comparing both, found, as he energetically 
expressed himself, that he must either be a 
Catholic, heart and soul, or an infidel. G-radually, 
and by very slow degrees, I was induced to read, 
and the pious example of my son, together with the 

well selected books but see, we are about being 

interrupted.'’^ 

As the door opened, and a broad, red, good- 
humored face was thrust in, surmounted by a head 
which was covered by short curls of thick yellow 
hair, Mrs. Talmadge said to the intruder: " What, 
Barney! hack again? 

"An thin may the angils thimselves make ye a 
bed in hiven, my lady! ” 

"Did you get work, sir?^’ 

" Sorra a bit. The whole world seems to be fixt 
up all at once, quite independent like.” 

"Astonishing,” said Mrs. Talmadge, laughing. 

"And Fve been a-thinking,” he continued, 
crushing his tattered hat between his hands, "that 


BLE^THEIM FOREST. 


221 


as ther is sich a bother for a poor boy in Baltimore, 
I’d lave it altogether intirely, and go beyant to 
Aistern shore, and never come back to Ameraky 
agin, for it aint by no means the place it is cracked 
up to be at all, at all.” 

Well, Barney,” said Mrs. Talmadge, ^^yoii must 
go out again and try for work in some part of the 
city which is not so well fixed up as this, and, if 
you do not succeed, return to me, and, perhaps I 
can find something to employ you.” 

Manewhile, me lady, iv the soul of me is 
starved out ov me body intirely; niver a bit will I 
want. the labor thin,” he answered, looking wistfully 
at a covered plate and bowl that sat at the fire, and, 
winking his eye and smacking his lips with an in- 
describable and graphic indication of hunger. 

Have you had no breakfast, Barney?” inquired 
Mrs. Talmadge. 

^^Sorra a bit has gone in me teeth to-day.” 

Truth, now, Barney.” 

As thrue as the Gospels, me lady.” 

^^Well, I suppose you must have something; 
come here. Mr. Clavering, you’ll excuse my giv- 
ing him his breakfast here? There, sit down; here 
is a breakfast for a king,” said Mrs. Talmadge, as 
she raised tho bowl and plate, the contents of which 
had been designed for her son who had not yet 
come in to his morning meal. He made his bene- 
factress a low reverence, and fell to with right good 
will on the inviting meal of coffee, rich toast, and 


222 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


broiled ham, so temptingly set before him. One or 
two infirm old women now came in, to whom the 
good lady gave some articles of coarse, substantial 
and warm winter clothing, and to a modest nice 
little girl some tea, coffee, and sugar, and a small 
quantity of wine, all of which she packed away in 
a clean willow basket that hung on her arm. Bar- 
ney revelled meanwhile in his unexpected luxuries, 
and rolling his eyes around on the recipients of Mrs. 
Talmadge^s bounty, exclaimed with all the enthu- 
siasm of his warm-hearted nation, ^‘An" sure it is 
Tve been translated widout knowin^ it at all, at all, 
from airth to hiveni Ah! me, if the poor craythur 
was only here!” Mrs. Talmadge did not . hear 
him, but Clavering did, and feeling an interest in 
the good-humored fellow^s welfare, determined to 
find out his history, for he, like the generality of 
mankind, was a physiognomist, and had discovered 
in his countenance an expression of honesty and 
indomitable cheerfulness which penury and mayhap 
want had failed to quench, and then his involuntary 
exclamation about his absent relative, all convinced 
him that there was something behind the scenes 
worth finding out; so, whispering Barney to wait 
without until he came, was about making his adieu, 
when his attention was directed to a new comer by 
an exclamation from Mrs. Talmadge. He was a 
heavily built old Dutchman, and stood in the door- 
way, leaning on a stick, looking doggedly around on 
the inmates of the room. His clothing was coarse 


BLEJ^HEIM FOREST. 


223 


and poor, but patched and darned with every variety 
of color until the original hue of his garments had 
become a difficult problem; his hat remained un- 
touched, and no token save a sound between a 
grunt and a growl evinced a recognition of any 
individual present. What on earth conjured you 
up, Carl,” asked Mrs. Talmadge; ‘^is old Frede- 
rika sick ? ” 

^‘Yaw!” 

How long has she been sick, Carl, and what ails 
her?” 

Mien vrow has got te bains in her legs, te bains 
in her arms, and te bains in her pack,” he replied, 
looking as immovable as ever. 

Good old Frederika, I hope she is not going to 
die.” 

Me can^t tell dat. She says you musht sent her 
von of dem Plessed Firgin metals, and -bray for her, 
ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! ” he exclaimed, after delivering 
his almost unintelligible message, and giving vent 
to those sounds of contempt, as if by them he made 
satisfaction to his own philosophic mind for having 
been the bearer of a message concerning things 
which he detested. Old Carl, like many others in 
this world of ours, was a nondescript in religion, he 
believed just what suited his own notions and chimed 
in with his idea of creature comforts. 

^^Sir,” said Mrs. Talmadge, sharply, ^'what do 
you mean by your ugh, ugh ? Better wear a medal 
■yourself, old gray headed sinner, and ask the Blessed 


224 : 


THE STUDENT OF 


Virgin to pray for yon — better do this, old Carl, 
than when you come to die repent when it is too 
late/^ 

^^Vell,” said he, unmoved, ^Mish vorld is goot 
enuff for me, so long ash I can get a shup of peer 
and one goot pipe to shmoke/^ 

^^Old reprobate, do you think you will live al- 
ways ? 

I hope to liff till I can’t she©*, till I can’t hear, 
till I can’t valk, and till I can’t feel not no more all 
ofer, den I vill die and not know noting apout it.” 

^‘You do,” answered Mrs. Talmadge, quite exas- 
perated, ^‘^you do! Perverse man! your soul at 
least can never die or wear out, either here or here- 
after, and our God lives forever. You will be ban- 
ished from his presence, Carl, and from the presence 
of the angels and all the heavenly hosts if you do 
not pray day and night, for you are very old ; and 
time is so short with you that there is but a step 
between you and eternity.” 

Mien Gott ! Don’t I tell you dish world ish 
goot enuff for Carl ? What if te goot Lord would 
say, ^ Come up, now, Carl, and pe von angel ! ’ Veil ! 
tell me, vill you, what goot would it pe to pe settin 
on a vet cloud all te day, singing hallelujah ? So, 

now— dere ” he exclaimed, stumping out in a 

towering passion. Clavering could not forbear a 
•smile at the old man’s most nnpoetical appreciation 
of the joys of heaven, but he felt at the same time 
deeply grieved at the state of morbid insensibility 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


225 


into which the obstinate Carl had fallen, and, utter- 
ing a short prayer in his behalf, bade Mrs. Talmadge 
good morning, and hastened out to keep his engage- 
ment with Barney. 

15 


226 


THE STUDENT OF 


CHAPTER XVIL 

The poor Irishman, with an expression of hope 
and anxiety depicted on his countenance, stood 
without, awaiting patiently the appearance of Olav- 
ering, who, as he approached him, said in a kind 
voice : ‘‘ I wish you, my good fellow, to conduct me 
to your place of abode, and if I find that you deserve 
aid, I can promise to have you placed in a situation 
which will render you, if you are honest and dili- 
gent, independent. I, myself, am a stranger in the 
city, but know one who has the disposition and the 
means to assist you.^^ 

Olavering, in his charities, as in everything else, 
was truly unostentatious, and, like all sincerely be- 
nevolent and pious souls, preferred concealing him- 
self from the recipients of his bounty, that those 
whom he clothed, sheltered or fed, might give all 
thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings and 
favors, so often and unexpectedly, extended towards 
them ; and while he, as their consoling friend and 
kind adviser, heard their earnest expressions of grat- 
itude, and witnessed their tears of humble thankful- 
ness to the Giver of all good gifts, it was then he 
enjoyed the sweet reward of those acts done solely 
for the love of our Father in heaven, and thanked 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


237 


him for those opportunities which threw in his way 
a suffering or afflicted fellow creature, for to such 
he was always a friend or brother, and, loving them, 
as he did, through the poverty and sufferings of our 
Lord, he would, in his humility, have kissed the 
dust from their feet, or taken them, with all their 
needy, and tattered, and soiled habiliments, to his 
bosom. Barney thrust his hands into the very 
depths of his pockets, and looked deliberately at 
Clavering, while his round blue eyes dilated with 
wonder and astonishment at the good turn his affairs 
had taken, and filled with a moisture which finally 
resolved itself into two heavy drops, which rolled 
silently over his ruddy cheeks, then thanking him 
with voluble sincerity, and many a blessing on his 
‘^tinder heart,^^ proceeded to show him the place of 
his abode. They soon came to ^ sparsely settled 
and squalid part of the purlieus of the city, where 
want, and penury, and starvation stretched forth 
their gaunt arms to the shivering winds, and de- 
clared in silent, though horribly legible characters, 
that poverty was the presiding genius of the place, 
Here gibbering age and want-stricken infancy 
mingled their wail, and concealed crime, perpetrated 
under the influence of gnawing hunger or desperate 
need, revelled, and grew, and festered ! Happy 
in comparison, thought Clavering, as he cast a 
shuddering glance around, are those far-off heathen 
nations in foreign lands, for whose salvation saintly 
men peril their lives that they may reveal unto them 


228 


THE STUDENT OP 


the way of eternal life; happy are the wild hordes 
of the forests of our own land, for they, too, have 
messengers from God among them, who use the in- 
visible, but mighty arms of justice and mercy, to 
crush their idolatries, and point them to virtue and 
heaven ; but miserable, degraded, and wretched are 
those who live around us daily, and swarm in their 
polluted dens in the lanes and alleys of the city, and 
refuse to come forth except for the purpose of plun- 
der and crime. To these the gate of mercy appears 
closed ; they are like men blind in the midst of 
light, and starving in a land of plenty ; they are 
steeped in the filth and degradation of sin, while 
the waters of life fiow sweetly near them ; they are 
our brethren, and in the lowliness and ignorance of 
their state, call in plaintive and pleading accents for 
men imbued with an apostolic spirit to go boldly 
among them, and rescue them from the gloom and 
chains of their depravity.” Barney conducted him 
to a rude shed, which had once been a shanty, but 
was now a ruin, through which the wind found wide 
crevices to howl its wintry blast, and into which the 
drifting snow could find an ample passage. One or 
two ragged quilts were nailed around the wall, and 
formed an alcove for a rude couch, on which sat a 
deformed and diseased woman, rocking herself to 
and fro, unheeding the tears which rolled in torrents 
over her wasted cheeks. The two stood a moment, 
for she now lifted upward her sightless eyes, and 
cried in a tone of agony, ^^Home, home, home ! Ire- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


229 


land mavourneen! Och! but the heart widin me 
body is dyin^ for home. An’ the poor boy, he begs, 
and starves, and works, to keep me from want; wo’s 
me! wo’s me! why can’t the poor and friendless 
die?” 

^^Why, Peggy, me darlint,” said Barney, advanc- 
ing, and taking her hand in his, '^f rindless is it ye 
are while Barney’s alive? Yer dark side is come 
over ye’s; but cheer up, mavourneen! the Blessed 
Virgin has sent us a frind in our need.” 

^^Ah, here ye come, Barney, wid yer cheerful 
voice; as long as I can hear it, it is well wid me, 
boy, for whin the world was an empty and lone- 
some place to me, you were father, an’ brother, an’ 
everything to a poor lone woman. ” 

An’ thin, by the piper that played afore Moses, 
ye overrate me intirely; indade, sir,” he said, look- 
ing sheepishly at Clavering, ^^she does that same.” 

^^Is she your mother, or sister, Barney?” in- 
quired Clavering in an undertone, but not suffi- 
ciently low to prevent her hearing his question, 
which she eagerly answered, for Barney had disap- 
peared. 

None at all, at all, kind sir, but a poor forsaken 
craythur, that was left alone on the airth when the 
cholera swept off all that cared for me.” She told 
him that Barney’s mother, who was a widow, with 
several half-grown children dependent on her, with 
all that benevolence and charity which is so con- 
spicuously characteristic among the Irish poor 


230 


THE STUDEH'T OE 


towards each, other, had received her, blind and 
afflicted as she was, into her family, and tended her 
with the most consistent kindness through long 
weary months of sickness, and under every circum- 
stance shared their little all with her. But the 
smallpox swept them all off, except Barney and her- 
self, when, hearing that gold could be gathered up 
by the handful in America, he sold every article of 
household use that he possessed, and, after paying 
his rent and the doctor^s dues, immigrated with his 
blind foster sister, Peggy, to a land which was, in- 
deed, one of promise and hope in perspective, for 
ever since his arrival in it, he had been hopelessly 
grasping after the bright shadow of prosperity, of 
whose substance he had heard such inconceivable 
and marvellous accounts. Clavering talked some 
time longer with her, and found her intelligent be- 
yond her opportunities and situation, and calling 
Barney, slipped a few dollars into his hand to sup- 
ply present wants, and told him to call the next day 
on Mrs. Talmadge, who would tell him of the 
arrangements made in his behalf by his friend, and 
hurried off, carrying with him the blessings of the 
poor, those blessings always so rich and eternal in 
their consequences, for, like ministering angels, 
they ascend up to the mercy seat, and inscribe re- 
membrances on the everlasting archives, which will 
avail much for us in the hour of judgment. Barney 
was so overwhelmed with his unexpected good fort- 
une, that he could absolutely do nothing for the 


■ BLENHEIM FOREST. 


231 


remainder of the day but sit by the side of his com- 
panion in poverty, and give thanks to God and his 
kind benefactor. To-morrow, girl, to-morrow will 
be time enough entirely, to lave the place; it would 
look quite indacent-like to run off the minit we 
could from the ould walls that gave us a shelter.” 

^‘Thrue, Barney; thrue, boy,” she responded; 
‘Mt is a cowld starving place to ’bide in, but not so 
cowld as the bare airth and freezin’ snow would ’a 
bin ; but blessed be the holy name of God for all 
things ; he sint us throuble and danger, now he 
sinds the angils of his pity to heal up the wounds 
intirely. He knows — our Lord knows, Barney — 
what is best for us, poor sinful craythurs that we 
are.” And so the two talked in great simplicity, 
not aware that in their humble content and submis- 
sion to the will of Almighty God they were learning 
precious lessons in the science of his saints. After 
dinner Clavering again returned to Mrs. Tal- 
madge’s, to whom he related the incidents of the 
morning, and begged her advice and co-operation in 
the affair. She entered into all his plans with a 
zest and sincerity peculiar to herself, and before 
evening they had, by their united exertions, pro- 
cured a suitable residence for Barney and his blind 
companion in a quiet and respectable part of the 
city. Clavering had given a few directions, and 
deposited in the hands of Mrs. Talmadge a sufficient 
sum of money for the purpose of carrying out his 
benevolent plans with regard to them, with discre- 


232 


THE STUDEKT OF 


tionary powers to use it to the best advantage. 
After she had, with untiring zeal procured every- 
thing necessary for their comfort, and introduced 
them into their new abode, she recommended to 
Clavering a worthy and respectable widow who 
wanted a home, and would, for a small considera- 
tion, piously attend to poor Peggy, and judiciously 
economize in the housekeeping department, and 
who, in a day or two, was duly installed in the 
domicile as manager of the domestic concerns. It 
was not Clavering^s design to make the honest and 
warm-hearted fellow whom he had taken under his 
protection either a dependent and inert citizen, or a 
gentleman of leisure ; so having purchased a small 
fruiterers establishment, had, through the agency 
of honest tradesmen, a room suitably fitted up for 
the purpose, and here Barney was established, with 
the injunction to he honest, industrious, and, above 
all, attentive to his religious duties; his rent was 
paid a quarter in advance, after which it was ex- 
pected that he would be able to realize a sufficient 
sum from the profits of his business to do so him- 
self. One of the first traits which displayed itself 
in his character was a disposition to aid those with 
whom he had suffered in the miserable neighbor- 
hood in which we found him; in fact, by the pru- 
dent and wise discrimination of Clavering, who, in 
the disposition of his charities, had appealed to 
every good quality in his heart, and most of all to 
his self-respect, Barney was in a fair way of becom- 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


233 


ing a diligent man of business, coarse, though 
respectable, in his appearance, and gaining friends 
every day by his good humored vivacity, correct 
demeanor, and pious habits. Poor Peggy was 
almost happy; employment also gave her the means 
of feeling as if she could yet be of some use in a 
world which was hidden forever from her; and 
while she sat knitting the livelong day, coarse socks 
and stockings, which the ever active Mrs. Talmadge 
disposed of for her, would sing with a feeble, 
though sweet voice, some pious hymn which she 
had learned at her mother^s knee, or some one of 
those sad strains so dear to the hearts of the sons 
and daughters of Ireland, or, perchance, with a 
quiet smile on her placjd countenance, listen while 
the widow Selden read for an hour from the pages 
of some well-chosen volume. Instances of disinter- 
ested generosity, and pure acts of charity, ^^ike 
pearls upon an ^thiop^s arm,” stand forth in beau- 
tiful and glorious relief against the shadow of sin 
which rests over the world, and make us almost 
think sometimes that, as of old, the angels walk 
among us 

A few days after the events which we have re- 
lated, Mrs. Botelar and Mr. Beverly, who had spent 
the evening with her,, were engaged in a quiet and 
amiable discussion on religious topics, which was a 
favorite subject of his, and a theme of which he 
never grew weary, she impressing him by the gentle 
dignity of her expressions, and the happy manner 


234 


THE STUDEHT OF 


in which she met and rebutted certain objections 
which he urged against becoming a practicable 
Catholic, and he amusing her by the originality of 
his remarks, and the wonderful versatility of his 
conversational powers. Father Francis now came 
in, and after inquiring for Clavering, and learning 
that he had been out since dinner, joined, with his 
usual bland and cheerful affability, in the conver- 
sation. 

‘‘Well,^’ said Mr. Beverly, in reply to an obser- 
vation of Mrs. Botelar, ^‘^in my opinion it certainly 
requires a greater amount of moral courage to make 
a man a Christian than a warrior. I could ‘ to- 
morrow go to Texas, Mexico, or Spain, and become 
a desperate soldier with more ease, positively, than 
I could kneel in a Catholic church, and make the 
sign of the cross! I can scarcely define my feelings 
on this subject; indeed, madam, as a man, I am 
ashamed of themF^ 

You will excuse me, Mr. Beverly,” said Father 
Francis, ^Mf I anticipate Mrs. Botelar, and answer 
you in, perhaps, plainer language than you have 
been accustomed to hear. There is a certain quality 
pervading the moral nature of most people called 
human respect, which is so subtile in its operations 
that the soul yields itself gradually and unresist- 
ingly to its baleful influence until, at last, its hydra- 
head guards every avenue of grace from the holy 
inspirations of God. It is a dread of the scorn, or 
censure, or ridicule of our fellow-creatures, of 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


235 


those who are so impotent that, by taking thought, 
they could neither add to nor take from one cubit 
of their own stature, and who, although they might 
exercise all the brilliancy of their sarcastic wit, and 
throw out every hyperbolical expression of irony of 
which they are capable, could neither impart the 
slightest sentiment of peace to your conscience if 
you yielded to their influence, nor deprive you of 
one moment of that interior tranquillity which is 
always the blessed reward of an unflinching dis- 
charge of duty. Does becoming a practical Chris- 
tian render a man a fool? does it cloud his intellect? 
in short, does it fetter one single quality of his 
mind? Far from it! It elevates, ennobles, and 
sanctifies his nature, and expands, by its pure and 
invigorating influence, all the dormant energies of 
his mind. You might kneel in church, and, by 
using the symbol of our holy religion, draw down 
upon yourself the scorn and astonishment of a few? 
If so, hold an imaginary conversation with them ; 
propose questions with which it would be natural to 
suppose they would catechise you, and allow your 
own conscience, Mr. Beverly, to answer, and notice 
on which side the moral victory would be. Behold, 
they might say, a man remarkable for his wit, and 
talents, and strength of nerve, kneeling, like a 
dotard, and using foolish and superstitious signs! — 
And well they might, if you bowed the knee to man 
or idols, or used the sign of any secret and hidden 
confraternity, or the emblem of some heathen caste; 


236 


THE STUDEHT OF 


but, SO far from this, you might, with St. Paul, 
stand forth and think yourself happy that you could 
answer well touching the things whereof you were 
accused, especially as you know that your homage 
and adoration would be given alone to the great and 
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, in 
whose presence all men are as nothing, and use the 
sign of that cross on which his beloved Son was 
immolated, and in that immolation presented the 
most sublime spectacle that heaven or earth ever 
witnessed, because he descended from the eternal 
splendor of his Father, to suffer, die, and redeem 
those who loved him not. What surpassing charity! 
what sublimity! what holiness and disinterestedness 
of purpose!^’ Mr. Beverly was silent. The simple 
and natural arguments of Father Francis touched 
him more forcibly than the most profound disquisi- 
tions on the subject could have done. ‘MVhen we 
see,"*’ continued Father Francis, a man sacrifice 
his all for the purpose of rescuing a fellow-being 
from penury, when we hear of philanthropic acts, 
or genergus and extraordinary donations for the 
weal of the poor, or some singular and conspicuous 
exercise of gratitude, how we wonder, admire and 
extol ; what reverence are we not disposed to pay 
those individuals ; and if the benefits are extended 
towards ourselves, it appears as if the sacrifice of a 
lifetime can never repay those who befriended us in 
our need. And yet, for the sake of Him who 
sacrificed himself for us, how unwilling are we to 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


237 


return a tithe of that for which he suffered, how 
slow to appreciate the great gifts he bestows on us, 
and how prone to yield all our deference to the 
judgments and prejudices of his sinful creatures, 
when he, and he alone, can with any propriety 
demand it.^^ 

Sir,” said Mr. Beverly, ^^what the example of 
my friend Clavering has failed in doing, you almost 
persuade me to accomplish.” 

^^Ah, here he is,” said Father Francis, as Claver- 
ing now entered, ^^to add his persuasions to mine; 
but, my child, how is this? you are ill, let me sup- 
port you to a chair.” 

‘‘1 do not feel ill,” whispered Claverfhg, as he 
leaned on the shoulder of Father Francis, ^^but 
very faint ; thank you, dear madam,” he said to 
Mrs. Botelar, who handed him a glass of wine, 
^^this will invigorate me a little ; I am better now 
— I breathe more freely — and after * resting a mo- 
ment, I shall be able to enjoy the conversation 
which 1 have interrupted.” But the effort of walk- 
ing to the sofa was too great in his weak condition, 
and a violent fit of coughing was the result, after 
which he sunk back into the arms of Father 
Francis, pale and fainting. Alas! the fears which 
had for several weeks disquieted Mrs. Botelar con- 
cerning him were too true! Now that his mind had 
become tranquillized, and the mental excitement 
which had so many months exercised a stimulating 
infiuence on his physical powers, was wearing away. 


238 


THE STUDENT OF 


it was plainly discernible that the finely strung 
chords of the young man’s life were relaxing their 
strength and vigor; and although the destroyer had 
approached so noiselessly, and yet so visibly, with 
the funeral torch which kindled up the depths of his 
eyes with feverish glow, and lit the hectic on his 
cheeks, and all those unfailing and unmistakable 
symptoms which gradually appear when the seeds 
of consumption begin to ripen amid the vital organs 
of our existence, had stolen on so slowly, Mrs. Bote- 
lar felt that but little hope could be entertained of 
his ever being restored to health. 

My dear Louis, she said as he recovered, again 
let me beseech you to send for Dr. Lurbeck.’^ 

^‘1 am better now, dear madam;” he replied; 

I am subject to these colds, and I assure you 
they generally leave me quite as strong as they find 
me.” 

Mrs. Botelar shook her head incredulously, and 
placing her fingers on his pulse, found it counting 
many more throbs in a minute than a healthy circu- 
lation would have required; there was a tension, a 
corded palpitation, and dry heat about it, which 
gave plain indication of fever. 

My dear sir,” answered Mrs. Botelar, ^‘you are 
ill!” 

^^And,” added Father Francis, ^^it is your duty, 
my dear child, when your health is evidently failing, 
to make use of all legitimate means for its restora- 
tion.” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


239 


Clavering,” said Mr. Beverly, who had with the 
deepest concern witnessed the foregoing scene, I 
claim it as a right and privilege to bring a physician 
to you ; your symptoms are alarming, my friend, 
and prompt medical aid is advisable.” 

^^As you please, my kind friends. I submit to 
your advice, but really feel so much recovered that 
I scarcely think it necessary.” 

Clavering could not bear to admit to himself that 
there was the slightest ground for apprehension, 
and although he had felt but too sensibly for many 
weeks past that his strength was gradually failing, 
and found that he had become quite emaciated, and 
of late had been startled more than once by indica- 
tions which threatened a haemorrhage of the lungs, 
still with that instinctive love of life which induces 
us to be the last who believe or feel the approach of 
danger, he disregarded these symptoms, and did not 
early enough pay that attention to them which the 
emergency of the case required. After a pause of 
several minutes, during which he leaned his head 
on his hands with an appearance of the deepest 
dejection, he said : Perhaps, my friends, you are 
right ; you may bring me a physician.” Mr. Beverly 
immediately took his hat and cloak, and went out 
*in search of Dr. Lurbeck. 

^^Not for my sake, reverend father,” said Claver- 
ing, not for my sake alone do I feel alarmed at 
this sudden giving way of my bodily energies, but 
the peculiar circumstances of the last few months 


240 


THE STUDENT OF 


would cause my death to be heavily felt by my 

by my mother and dear old father. Oh, Mrs. Bote- 
lar, it may be weakness, perhaps* it is unmanly, hut 
methinks if I could behold those beloved and vener- 
ated faces again, and see them smile benignly on me 
as in days of yore 

‘‘^My dear child,’’ interrupted Mrs. Botelar, much 
affected, you will see them under happy auspices 
again, no doubt.” 

He arose and walked to and fro the room; silent 
and uncontrollable anguish wrung his heart, and at 
last, his emotion overleaping the bounds of all re- 
straint, he sunk, almost fainting, into • a chair, 
exclaiming, My mother! my mother! ” and wept 
convulsively. 

^^My child, my child! ” said Mrs. Botelar, as she 
approached him, and laid her arm, with all the 
affection of a fond parent, around him, while she 
drew his- aching head to her breast, I do not say 
to you, forget those things which have so wounded 
your susceptible nature; nay, I do. not even say 
restrain those tears which they call forth, but, with 
unwavering voice, I bid you look to Mount Calvary; 
there, my child, behold Him for whom you suffer. 
He suffered and died for us ! ” continued the lady in 
a sublime accent. 

Father Francis had himself once known the bit- 
terness of an agony like this, for he too had been 
a banished exile, for conscience’s sake, from the 
homestead of his youth, and the presence of those 


BLEiTHEIM FOREST. 


241 


he loved, and endured not only this, but the restric- 
tions of poverty also, in that spirit of suffering meek- 
ness and resignation which, although it wrung the 
strongest fibres of his heart, did not cause him to 
shrink a moment from the religion of that holy 
church of which he was now an ornament, and so 
keenly did the scene remind him of those early 
trials, that he could scarcely command his voice 
sufficiently to allow him to speak, when he took 
Clavering’s hand in both his own, and with a gentle 
and friendly pressure said, Aye, my child. He is 
gone before thee, carrying the cross, and on it he 
died, and if thou die with him, thou shalt also live 
with him; and if thou art his companion in suffer- 
ing, thou shalt also partake of his glory.” * 

The young man raised his eyes, suffused with 
tears, towards heaven, and his lips moved in prayer; 
the agony was passing away, for he had knelt in 
spirit at the feet of Jesus, and offered himself as a 
holocaust to the Lord, and while an expression of 
sadness and resignation gradually settled, in soft re- 
pose, on his countenance, he whispered in almost 
inaudible accents, as if communing with his own 
soul: ^^It is well. Not my will, but thine, 0 God, 
be done!” 

Tears blind the eyes of the narrator of this little 
history, and its conclusion has become a difficult 
task; in the amiable Clavering she knew a friend 
and brother, and in constant correspondence with 

* Thomas k Kempis. 


16 


242 


THE STUDENT OF 


him during his trials, wept and suffered with him; 
but she will be unselfish enough to disregard these 
feelings, and unfold to others a few more of those 
scenes which so edified her by their piety and acts 

of resignation When Dr. Lurbeck arrived 

he proceeded at once to inquire particularly into the 
symptoms of his patient, and examine his chest with 
the most scrutinizing ear; and it was not long 
before he decided, satisfactorily to himself, on the 
case, and drew out his tablets to write a prescrip- 
tion. 

Allow me to interrupt you a moment, doctor, 
said Olavering. 

Certainly, sir.^^ 

“Will you confer a favor on me, doctor, and tell 
me, candidly, whether or not my lungs are incura- 
bly diseased ? 

Dr. Lurbeck raised his head, and looked at him 
a moment with his calm, penetrating eye, as if he 
wished to read his inmost soul, and judge how far 
he could safely answer the question so simply and 
yet so earnestly proposed; then, as if satisfied with 
the result of his inquiring glance, laid his hand on 
Clavering’s, and with a look of sympathy, and a 
subdued kindness of manner for which he was so 
proverbial, replied: “My dear sir, you ought to 
have had medical aid long ago; I am afraid this dis- 
ease has progressed too far to be eradicated, or even 
benefited by curative means; I can, however, safely 
promise you that, so far as medical skill can go, I 


BLEI^HEIM FOREST. 


243 


will exercise it in your behalf; meanwhile, keep 
closely to your room, be prudent and careful, and 
you may be temporarily relieved very soon.'’^ 

Thank you, doctor, thank you kindly, for the 
candid opinion you have given. 

Is the result of my examination unexpected, sir, 
for you must have suffered a year or two?^^ asked 
Dr. Lurbeck, in surprise at his calmness. 

was not prepared, doctor, for so decided an 
opinion, certainly. 

^‘Well, well,^’ interrupted the doctor, ‘^do not 
allow it to agitate you; while there is life, you know, 
we may hope.” 

‘^My hopes, dear sir,” said Clavering, “are not 
of this life, and so far from the possibility of an 
early death alarming or agitating me, it has diffused 
a calm and tranquil expectation of rest over every 
wearied emotion of my heart.” 

“What! so young, and yet resigned. Sir, have 
you nothing to live for?” 

“Much, dear doctor; much to live for, and yet 
more to gain by death.” 

“ It is mysterious,” said Dr. Lurbeck, looking 
earnestly into the fire. “I cannot thoroughly 
understand it, as much as I have seen of it; it is su- 
pernatural, decidedly — but I beg your pardon — ^good 
night, Mr. Olavering; attend to the direction on the 
paper, and I will call to-morrow.” 

Father Francis spent an hour longer with Claver- 
ing, and was happy to perceive that a resigned com- 


244 


THE STUDENT OF 


posure had diffused its heavenly influence around 
him, and judging from the sudden and severe pros- 
tration of strength which seemed to have enfeebled 
him almost unto death, that he would be unable for 
many weeks to leave his room, made his adieu, with 
the promise to come at an early hour on the follow- 
ing morning to give him the holy Communion, and, 
with this hope to cheer him, neither pain nor debil- 
ity could depress the patient invalid. Mrs. Botelar, 
with a mother^s care, anticipated and attended to 
every want, and her last act before she left him for 
the night, was to arrange with pious and beautiful 
thought everything on the little shrine of the 
Blessed Virgin in perfect order for the reception of 
the Blessed Sacrament. Mr. Beverly remained with 
him. Through the livelong night angels kept 
sweet vigils around the couch of the young convert. 
He slept but little, for it seemed as if a foretaste of 
the unslumbering heaven of eternity was dawning 
on his spirit, and with clasped hands, and cheeks 
ever wet with ecstatic tears, he awaited in humble 
hope for the flrst chime of coming day to sound, 
and ere yet the stars had faded from the purple 
heavens, he was absorbed in holy expectation of the 
high honor which was about to be conferred on his 
unworthy heart. His souFs prison house was irra- 
diated by the hope which, during the still watches 
of the night, had like an angel guardian hovered 
around him!. Onward rolled the torrent of his 
blessed thoughts, deep, but calm and tranquil, and 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


245 


high, as high as heaven, until he would fain have 
thrown off the shackles of life, and soared thither- 
ward; but, ah, why was it that amidst this rapture 
of seraphic faith, a sullen gloom now sprung up like 
a deadly shade, causing him to shrink back and 
contemplate with trembling dread the coming of his 
illustrious guest, fearing that at last, after all his 
prayers, his hopes, his contrite tears had been but a 
mockery? but still he prayed amid his tribulation, 
and clung with trusting humility in his hour of 
darkness to the cross of Christ. He did well, and 
needed not to fear; here was the safest place for the 
weary soul, and though a gloom as of the shadow 
of death encompassed him, phantoms might terrify, 
but could not harm him in his holy sanctuary. It 
was the last effort of the subtle tempter: he cast the 
baleful influence of his accursed wings in momen- 
tary dimness over the pure heart of the young con- 
vert; but this was all; there was nothing palpable 
in its horror, and although it hid for an instant 
those beams of triumphant faith which had elevated 
his spirit almost from earth to heaven, he grieved, 
but, knowing in whom he trusted, feared not. 

The door opened, and Father Francis entered the 
room, followed by Mrs. Botelar and Alice, who, 
with Mr. Beverly, reverently knelt as he deposited 
the Holy Sacrament in the place prepared for it. 
Where now the shadows ! where now the gloom ! 
Oh, Lord God, could that moment ever be forgotten 
by him when thou didst come, borne by thy servant. 


246 


THE STUDENT OF 


and concealed under the pure and simple sacra- 
mental veil, to disperse the mists that clouded for a 
moment his soul by thy adorable and real presence, 
and abide for a season with him in his tabernacle of 
clay ! Words are poor ; it is a fulness of exceeding 
joy which can alone be worthily sung by angelic 
hosts, and a recollection which will aid us in our 
adoration of ecstasy above, when we bow before the 
throne of the Lamb that was slain, and see him 

with unveiled countenance as he is It was 

over ; the solemn and sublime rite, the humble Con- 
fiteor had been whispered by contrite hearts, and in 
consecrated hands the Sacred Host had been lifted 
with these soul-thrilling words: Behold him, 

behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the 
sins of the world, and while Lather Francis pro- 
nounced the words of Communion, Clavering re- 
ceived the bread of life, the food of angels ! What 
then was the world to him ; its pains or joys ; its 
sadness or delights ; its gold or ambition ; its fame 
or honor ? Like a vision, past and forgotten with 
its ties, and loves, and hopes, it disturbed him not 
now, for all the feelings of his sensitive and discern- 
ing mind were merged into one great and sublime 
emotion of humble and unrivalled peace and faith, 
while tears from sacred and newly opened founts 
flowed in sweet and silent torrents from his heart. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


247 


CHAPTEE XVIII. 

LETTER FROM BLENHEIM FOREST — FROM A RELATIVE 
OF MRS. CLAVERING TO MRS. BOTELAR. 

Blenheim Forest, Feb. 26th, 18 — . 

Under ordinary circumstances, dear and re- 
spected madam, I would apologize for addressing 
one who is personally so entire a stranger to me as 
yourself, but grief and anxiety, you know, are great 
destroyers of etiquette, and to their influence con- 
ventional forms are frequently obliged to yield. Two 
weeks ago I received from my friend and relative, 
Mrs. Clavering, a letter, announcing to me the sud- 
den and dangerous illness of the colonel, and inform- 
ing me at the same time of its indirect cause, and 
all the subsequent events springing from that cause, 
which have converted this once happy and hospi- 
table mansion into a house of mourning and loneli- 
ness. As early as I could make arrangements to 
do so, I left home, and travelled day and night, ^ 
until I reached Blenheim Forest, when I received 
from my afflicted friend a sad, though grateful 
welcome. A crisis had taken place in the colonel’s 
disease the day before, and his physician pronounced 
him to be now comparatively out of danger, though 


248 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


everything is to be apprehended from the painful re- 
currence of his thoughts to his absent son ; thoughts 
to which his proud and unbending nature will never 
give utterance, and consequently no one dares offer 
sympathy to one who so sternly and haughtily for- 
bids it. I have frequently observed, madam, that 
when a proud man is mentally wounded, the over- 
taxed and tensely wound-up feeling which obey 
silently and cruelly the destroying mandate of con- 
cealed grief, seem to absorb and overbalance all the 
gifts of fortune and happiness of a past life, and 
finally corrode and break down the strongest nerves 
of existence ; when a few words of human sympathy 
spoken, a few acts of consolation meekly received, 
might, it is true, cover his proud forehead for a 
moment with dust and tears, and cower the mighty 
energy of manhood for a season; but if he bows 
thus lowly down, and avoids the whirlwind which 
follows wildly in the train of sorrow and death, and 
crushes the principle of life, does he not act with 
more rational wisdom ? The ancients, on whom 
the light of revelation had not yet dawned, deified 
life by acts of human sacrifice and Spartan immola- 
tion, but now, when life and death have been both 
sanctified by the new law of love, it is only the fruits 
of a broken and contrite heart — which suffers with 
generous submission the pangs inflicted on it — that 
man should presume to offer his Creator. But ex- 
cuse me, respected madam, I am so accustomed 
to write familiarly to my friends, and express freely 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


249 


the thoughts which present themselves^ that before 
I proceed further, I must commend myself to your 
kind and benevolent heart, to make all due allow- 
ances for that which might seem either too pedantic 
or familiar in my letter. Colonel Clavering has 
never breathed his son^s name since the day he so 
cruelly exiled him from his house, nor will he allow 
any one to mention it, or allude in the slightest 
manner, or to anything connected with his affairs ; 
consequently, he is ignorant of his present residence 
in Baltimore and also of his ill health. To Mrs. 
Clavering he is kind in his manner, and, as ever, 
polite, but it is evident that all confidence between 
them is destroyed ; he looks on her as the origin of 
all his disappointed projects, but we who are inti- 
mately acquainted with the affair, know how inno- 
cent she is of this charge, for, until the revelation of 
the change in the religious sentiments of her son, 
her most confidential friends, myself among the 
number, were under the impression that she had 
long ago forsaken the tenets of the Catholic religion, 
and become, at least in intention, one of us. But, 
madam, there is a change, a great change in this 
afflicted lady, and although I am a Protestant, and 
hoping to die as I have lived, a child of the reformed 
church of Christ, I cannot but admire the firm and 
unwavering manner with which my friend silently, 
though perseveringly, practises the duties of her 
peculiar, creed. Her example was always amiable 
and good ; it is now transcendently so, and it really 


250 


THE STUDENT OF 


appears that the inclinations of duty and religion, 
which had so long forsaken her, or lain dormant, 
have returned with ten-fold vigor, sanctified by new 
graces, and strengthened entirely by that Holy 
Spirit which our Saviour promised his followers, to 
fortify and preserve them against temptation and 
danger. She frequently converses with me on the 
subject which has given her so much pain, and 
though I can see, from the very throbbings of her 
heart that it is almost bursting with agony, and from 
her tears, which flow in bitter streams, that she is 
literally fainting under the burden of her trials, yet 
I must confess that such patience, resignation, and 
entire submission to the will of the Lord, I have 
never before witnessed. In the extremest emotions 
of her anguish, I have only heard such expressions 
as these: It is well! it is all just! I will not 
even ash that this cTialice,^* she calls it, may 
pass from me ; I only beg grace from on high, for 
patience and submission, that without a murmur I 
may drinh it to its dregs, I deserve it all, my 
friend; all, and much more.” There is some- 
thing so heroic and dignified in her resignation, that 
I am amazed and silent ! And yet, dear madam, 
from the tenor of your last two letters, she fears that 
her worst anticipations, relative to the health of her 
son, are on the eve of being realized ; you say he 
is feeble, that he coughs ; indeed there is an inde- 
finable something in your expressions which causes 
us to fear that the disease with which he has been 


BLEKHETM FOREST. 


351 


SO long threatened is now developing itself. His 
mother cannot write ; she has been and is still in 
such close attendance on the colonel, and requested 
me to write confidentially to you, dear madam, and 
inquire into all the particulars of her son’s case, 
hoping that you will, as early as you can conven- 
iently do so, write a detailed account of his health, 
and, at all events, let her understand the worst. . . 

Thursday . — ^Yesterday Colonel Clavering was 
much better, dear madam, and to-day spent an hour 
or two in the room adjoining his chamber 

Friday night . — You must excuse my detached 
manner of writing; I thought, madam, I would 
defer mailing my letter until a decided improvement 
had taken place in the colonel’s health, which wp 
had every reason to hope for until last niglit. The 
reasons I will explain to you. 

There is an apartment in which Louis had always 
slept from his boyhood, and which forms one of the 
suite of rooms occupied by Colonel and Mrs. Claver- 
ing. There stood everything, books, writing, drawing 
implements, and a half-finished picture, just as he 
had left them, while over the mantle hangs a por- 
trait of himself, painted when he was just nineteen, 
by an eminent artist, under the colonel’s direction. 
This picture commemorates a noble and generous 
action in the boy’s life. He is represented in the 
act of drawing the skifi of a poor fisherman from 
the stormy waves to the shore. He had saved 
the man’s life by almost superhuman exertions, at 


252 


THE STUDEHT OP 


the risk of his own, and given him in charge of his 
alarmed servant, while- he returned to save the tem- 
pest-tossed boat, which was the poor creature^s onl}^ 
property, from being wrecked against the rocks 
which line and jut out along this part of the shore. 
Madam, you should see this picture! The face, 
which is a perfect resemblance, beams out, pale and 
almost inspired, from the gloom of the stormy back- 
ground, while a single ray of light, from a rifted 
cloud, streams down upon his uplifted forehead, and 
falling aslant his shoulder, lends to the long, wav- 
ing hair, which the wind has lifted and dashed in 
bright masses around his face and bared throat, a 
hue of spiritual and marvellous beauty. Do not the 
angels of God’s love descend with us into the deep 
waters of life’s fretted and stormy sea, and when 
they would fain, in their greedy wrath, engulf us, 
do not these ministering spirits, with faces uplift to 
heaven, implore mercy on our struggling souls, and 
gently lead us where storms come not? Of this 
tranquil assurance, this sweet hope, the picture al- 
ways reminded me. It was a fancy of the colonel’s 
to have this picture placed where his son could see 
it most frequently, and with a secret triumph, and 
delighted pride beaming in his eyes, he would often 
point to it and say, Boy, never be guilty of an 
action that could sully that deed! I will disown you 
if all the circumstances of your life do not accord 
with this youthful though philanthropic heroism.” 
Into this apartment Mrs. Clavering had requested 


BLEiiTHEIM FOREST. 


253 


me to go for the purpose of hanging a veil over the 
picture, for fear the colonel might, during his con- 
valescence, grow tired of his prescribed walks, and, 
in an absent or abstracted mood, inadvertently enter 
and see it. We dreaded the worst consequences 
from such an occurrence, for not only had he hereto- 
fore avoided the room, but had always descended’ to 
the lower part of the house by a private staircase 
which led to the grounds on the east side of the 
mansion, to prevent himself from passing the door. 
I laid the veil on a chair, and looked at the angelic 
face of the dear boy, madam, until tears dimmed 
my eyes, and I turned away, and approaching the 
window, was so struck by the sympathy between the 
sad aspect without, and my own emotions, that I 
involuntarily seated myself in the deep embrasure, 
and as the heavy chintz curtains fell again in their 
places, and entirely concealed me from the view of 
any one who might enter the room, I resigned my- 
self to melancholy thought. Ah! how dreary was 
that wintry twilight, how chilly came the winds 
eddying up from the dark turbulent river, and how 
fitfully the dead leaves whirled, in fantastic circles, 
among the withered branches, and over the frozen 
earth! — Where were those joyous in-door scenes 
which once caused the visitors of Blenheim Forest 
to forget the ungenial winter, with its images of 
decay and death; the blazing hearth, surrounded by 
happy faces? — Alas! like the hearts around me, it 
was only covered with the ashes of its former cheer; 


254 


THE STUDENT OF 


ful fires; the low sweet strains of music were no 
more heard; the thrilling story and eloquent conver- 
sation were hushed, it seemed forever. Ah! — I was 
aroused from my reverie by a deep sigh, and in an 
instant, from some instinctive foreboding, knew 
Colonel Clavering must be in the room. Yes, there 
he stood, leaning on his stick, trembling and agi- 
tated, before the portrait of his exiled son, his idol, 
which had been so suddenly dashed down from the 
throne of his proud heart. Escape was impossible, 
and to have discovered myself would have been both 
painful and awkward; so, breathing as softly as pos- 
sible, I determined to remain perfectly quiet, and 
await the result. 

Dear Madam, may I ever, hereafter, he spared the 
agony of seeing a proud man weep! He clasped his 
hands while he gazed upward on that tranquil and 
angelic countenance, and big heavy tears rolled in 
torrents over his face. 

Is it a dream he at last gasped out, can it 
be? oh! boy! generous! noble! pure! brave and 
beautiful! you who would not have harmed the 
meanest reptile that crawls, how, oh ! how is it that 
you have so wounded the heart that, above all others, 
confided in your honor and truth; your father’s 
heart!” He ivept. will think him dead,” he 
again whispered; will think that these pangs, 
which are ^ sharper than a serpent’s tooth,’ are but 
the natural grief parents feel on losing a beloved 
child ah! I cannot! I cannot, weak, nerveless 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


255 


old man that I am. Rather would I have seen him 
a traitor to his country than his God, but hist — the 
soldier’s faith is honor to his country — yes! — hut — 
my strength seems failing — my pride! where are 
they? — gone? I cannot understand or compre- 
hend, Louis, how this — ah! ” he groaned, and, 

leaning his head on his stick, uttered the profound- 
est sighs, such only as men can utter when an 
extremity of grief crushes every germ of happiness 
within them. A quarter of an hour must have 
elapsed, during which time he did not alter his 
position, and the periodical fever incident to his 
disease, accelerated and aided by the already excited 
state of his mind, had confused his thoughts, and 
crept, with his ideal vision, so softly and sweetly 
through the cells of his brain, that it was filled with 
placid images and delightful memories of long ago. 
Aha, boy! ” he said, rising and smiling, as of old, 
that is a most capital likeness — excellent, and well 
painted too! That was a noble deed, Louis: never, 
for God’s sake, boy, be guilty of an action that 
would be unworthy of fellowship with it. Good 
night! — what! no answer! — ah, well, he sleeps — he 
is fatigued — how softly he breathes! God bless 
thee, child; your dreams will he sweet, after hav- 
ing so bravely saved a fellow-being’s life!” He 
was leaving the room, but turned suddenly and 
looked around him, then pressed his forehead, and 
said: ^^How is this, where am I? — 0 yes, Louis’ 
room; good night, my beloved child, good night!” 


256 


THE STUDENT OF 


I trembled and wept so, my dear madam, that I 
could scarcely leave my hiding-place, and only got 
out in time to see the servants hurrying to and fro, 
in great alarm, all anxious to do something for the 
relief of their master, who had fainted, and fallen 
senseless in the corridor. 

Saturday . — The colonel was ill all night, and ' 
this morning is much exhausted. Mrs. Clavering 
requests me to present her warmest and most heart- 
felt acknowledgments for the kindness which you 
have heretofore extended to her son, meanwhile begs 
an answer to this as early as you can conveniently 
write. 

Eespectfully and truly yours, 

A. H. M. 

Mrs. Botelar received the foregoing letter, but, 
with a want of fortitude which was not at all 
characteristic of her, could not decide in what 
manner to answer it. She shrunk from being the 
harbinger of such tidings as a communication from 
her would convey, and her imagination, with graphic 
pencil, painted but too vividly the scene of gloom 
and tears that its contents would add to the already 
afflicted circle at Blenheim Forest. Clavering was 
slowly declining, nor could the skill of his good 
physician, or tl^e earnest and kind attendance of 
warm-hearted friends, stay his course to the silent 
graven Mr. Beverly was with him constantly, and 
it was a tender and touching sight to witness the 
indescribable affection which he displayed in every 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


257 


act towards his dying friend. He who had hereto- 
fore been so erratic in his movements, that he could 
never rest longer than a few weeks at a time in any 
spot, no matter hoW many natural beauties or human 
endearments it presented to his mind — whose ivhole 
happiness seemed to have consisted in variety and 
novelty — who had raised his standard or beau ideal 
of the qualities of a friend so near heaven that no 
man had ever, until now, been honored with his 
friendship, sat patiently, day after day, and watched 
silently, night after night, by the couch of the suf- 
fering man whom he had learned to love dearer 
than a brother. To read to him when he was 
awake, or converse with him in a low tone when he 
was weary of books, to sit beside him while he 
dozed, with his finger on his pulse, or bear him in 
his arms, like a very child, to his bed, when he was 
faint, to steep his forehead in balsamic draughts 
when the fever glow was on it, to arrange the pil- 
lows of the patient sufferer, or modify the light of 
the sick room to suit his failing eyes, were some of 
the few offices which were faithfully performed by 
him; indeed, no mother could have soothed or 
cheered the last life scenes of a beloved child, with 
more tender care or anxious solicitude,' than those 
which the generous and eccentric Beverly extended 
towards him. 

Mrs. Botelar had left the invalid^s room for the 
purpose of answering the letter from Blenheim 
Forest; and Mr. Beverly, who had been conversing 
17 


258 


THE STUDENT OP 


in his usual quiet and cheerful tone, suddenly ceased 
speaking, and appeared lost, for several minutes, in 
profound reverie, the subject of which seemed to af- 
ford him the most delightful emotions, his eyes, lit 
up with a cheerful expression, and a glow of san- 
guine pleasure, imparted a most pleasing aspect to 
his countenance ; he approached the invalid, and 
taking his hand, exclaimed, "‘We will go. Claver- 
ing! 

"" Where, my friend? 

""To Italy — Italy, Clavering! — to that classic 
land where, in communion with the lingering spirits 
of sages and poets, your existence will receive the 
impetus which it so much requires; your mind will 
be again stimulated; your exhausted faculties will 
be renewed and invigorated, and, above the ruins of 
the mighty past, like those blossoms which grow 
above graves, and derive new life from the ashes of 
the dead, your mind will become so profoundly 
filled with the thoughts of buried ages, and so trans- 
fused with the histories and legends, not only of the 
seven-hilled city, but of all Italy, that the current 
of disease must, and will be checked, and in that 
genial atmosphere you will breathe nothing but life, 
sweet life. Clavering; say, will you go ?” 

""Impossible! kindest of friends, impossible! 

"" Not so — it is not impossible,” said Mr. Beverly 
in a low vehement voice. ""The weather grows 
mild; you are no worse; your physician does not 
say your case is hopeless; there is nothing to prevent 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


259 


it. I, of course^ will go with you. I have been 
once, and shall only feel as if I were again going to 
the home of my heart, to an Eden which, in my 
boyhood dreams, I learned to love — say. Clavering, 
do you consent ? ” 

My friend, said he, holding up his emaciated 
hands and laying them on Beverly, ^^ere the time 
shall elapse which it would take to convey us to 
that sweet southern clime, these hands will be 
crossed in peace on my silent breast, and this body, 
which has experienced from you so much disinter- 
ested care, will repose in the bosom of its mother 
dust.^’ 

Mr. Beverly pressed his hands, but he so much 
dreaded the idea of losing Clavering, that when he 
made any direct allusion to death, a certain alfec- 
tionate impatience betrayed itself in his manner. 

Clavering,’' he at last said, ^'you give up life 
without a struggle. Why is this ? Like the 
ancients, you contemplate death without terror; 
but, unlike them, you raise an altar to this unge- 
nial shade, on which all your thoughts rest. This 
penalty of life will assuredly come; let us not court 
his presence, for has not our Creator imposed obli- 
gations on us whereby we may avoid it for a longer 
season than you care to dream of ? ” 

Ah, my friend,” said Clavering, smiling kindly, 
^^you forget that men of the olden time, although 
surrounded by the brilliant mysticisms of Epicurean- 
ism, and the still more profound mysteries of Me- 


260 


THE STUDENT OF 


tempsycliosis, suffered the ills of life, its changes, its 
woes and evils; there was always a skeleton among 
their flowers, and even they hailed death as the 
friend of the unhappy, and poetically called it the 
daughter of night and the sister of sleep. But, 
Beverly, had the hope of eternal rest and untold 
joys shone on those philosophers of old, think you 
not they would have regarded it as 

‘ Tranquilla varco, 

A piu tranquilla vita ? ’ ” 

I still think of Italy, Clavering! he replied. 

In that region, in which I wish you to gather new 
life, the name of death was once an interdicted 
sound. Its inhabitants had such a horror of it, that 
they always disguised it by some periphrasis, such 
as discessit e vita they never said of their friend, 
Mie had died, but that he had lived. ^ * You live, 
Olavering, and that is a great point — so let us waive 
this gloomy subject, and talk of Italy. Has Rome, 
which the Catholic has received as a legacy from 
the pagan, no charm for you? 

Many, my friend. Tell me of it? 

^^Well, let me arrange it. We will approach 
Rome from the south. AVe will linger a few days 
in sweet Sicily, and our vessel shall glide so gently 
along the coast of Italy, that the perfumed winds 
from the shore will ever refresh you. We will 
count the gem-like islands that enrich the sea, and 


* D’Israeli. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


261 


listen to the music with which the vintage is gath- 
ered in, and hear the peasants, with their vintage 
garlands on their heads, chant strains in soft Italian 
from the poetry of Ariosto and Tasso. At Naples 
we will change the sea for short land voyages. You 
will then be so much stronger. Clavering, that we 
will visit Pompeii, and enter those dwellings which 
for so many centuries lay buried in their lava tomb, 
\vhere near the sill of each door the word salve still 
welcomes, though silently, the stranger, as it did 
ages ago when the gay and light-hearted Pompeiian 
exchanged with southern warmth and hospitality the 
courtesies of social life. And Vesuvius! shall we 
pass by this mysterious conqueror, who laid low the 
little city of palaces? Well, we will see it at night. 
Clavering, looming up among the clouds with its 
plume of fiery vapors, and you will think of Ossian^s 
heroes as its banners of living fiame throw out their 
lurid folds to the winds.'’-’ 

^^My dear friend,'’'’ said Clavering, cheered by Mr. 
Beverly’s sanguine and hopeful manner, I hear of 
Italy from you, of those scenes which I once hoped 
to enjoy, and of which you so eloquently speak.'” 

^‘And you will enjoy them,” interrupted Mr. 
Beverly, who had watched with pleased eyes the 
impression he gradually made. ^^We will journey 
up from Naples to Terracino, near which are memo- 
rials fraught with rich associations for both poet and 
historian. Again we will rest, and when evening 
falls, and the air is melodious with the sound of 


262 


THE STUDENT OF 


Ave Maria floating from steeple and tower, we will 
slowly ascend the mountain that overshadows the 
town, and beneath the shade of orange and lemon 
trees which embalm the winds with luscious sweet- 
ness, we will repose and look down on the tranquil 
plains covered with the aloe trees and broad-leafed 
cactuses with their brilliant and many-hued flowers, 
which here flourish in uncultivated profusion ; we 
will see the bright-eyed children at play among 
flowers; we will press those perfumed stars of earth 
beneath our feet — for those little creatures, with 
instinctive poetry and an innate desire to please the 
strangers, will throw garlands in our pathway; we 
will look out on the tranquil sea, and .while the sun- 
set gems it with light; count the fishermen^s skiffs, 
which, instead of bearing pennons of gay colored 
stuffs at their mast heads, are festooned with gar- 
lands, and their merchandise of fish, fruits, and 
vegetables concealed by leaves and blossoms. We 
will luxuriate on these poetical sights and sounds 
preparatory to approaching the Pontine marshes, 
whose pestilential fens, although they are ever send- 
ing upwards exhalations of death, are so fertile that 
the productions peculiar to them are verdant beyond 
description. These safely passed, we will journey 
on slowly near the lake of Nemi, and indulge in a 
few classical reminiscences in the sacred wood which 
surrounds it; cross the Campagna d^Aldano, and 
then. Clavering, Eome — Rome, with its cupolas. 


BLEN^HEHI FOREST. 


263 


its spires, its obelisks, all gleaming with sunshine, 
and pointing heavenward. 

I had once hoped to see it all,^’ repeated Claver- 
ing. 

“We will avoid the Corso; it has too much of 
modern life about it. We will establish ourselves 
in my old lodgings in ancient Rome, from the upper 
windows. of which we can see the Tiber, the capitol, 
and catch a glimpse of one or two important ruins. 
After resting a few days, we will explore the sublime 
wonders of St. Peter’s, we will linger there hour 
after hour tracing the grand designs and effects of 
its mosaics, and feel awe-stricken in the presence of 
its exquisitely modelled antique marbles, its mag- 
nificent paintings, and rich shrines. We will devote 
these hours. Clavering, to silence and study. One 
should never speak beneath that exalted dome; the 
very sound of a whisper dying away in immensity, 
brings home too humbling a sense of insignificance 
to the creature in the presence of his God. There 
the physical organs of speech should be still, and let 
the soul expand, and hold converse with the sublime 
present and solemn past. But my friend you are 
fatigued?” 

“Far from it, I am refreshed; you inspire me 
with a wish to hear much more of that spot where 
the blood-stained genius of antiquity lies low and 
silent beneath the altars of religion.” There was a 
kindling light in Clavering’s eye, and an upspring- 
ing of life, an appearance of vigor, which should 


264 


THE STUDEHT OF 


have deterred Mr. Beverly, who saw only in this 
excitement a newly opened fount of health, and he 
continued: The Pantheon will interest you. It 
is the best preserved ruin in Kome, and seems as if 
determined to outlive time forever for the purpose 
of commemorating the gratitude of Agrippa, and the 
humility of Augustus, who refused the dedication of 
it to himself as too great an honor, and consecrated 
it to all the Gods of Olympus. Its Christian name, 
if I remember aright, is St. Mary of the Kotundo. 
In the church of St. John Lateran, where a num- 
ber of councils have been held, we will see innumer- 
able columns of rich marble, some of which be- 
longed to the tomb of Adrian, and others to the 
capitol: and near it the obelisk brought from the 
heart of Egypt, which a barbarian king so respected, 
that he stopped the conflagration of a city in its 
honor, and legends tell us that, for its sake, a king 
pledged the life of his only son. Its hieroglyphics 
defy now as ever the learning or wisdom of sages 
— ^they keep their own secret bravely, and perhaps 
conceal under their impenetrable characters annals 
of the most ancient people of antiquity. Genius is 
a creative inspiration; it is the gift of God, and pro- 
ceeds alone from him — the pagan received it from 
his hands, although he knew it not; their succes- 
sors toiled for fame, and derided the followers of 
the new faith, and scourged and put them to death 
as traitors to their deities, and it is well that thus 
after the lapse of ages these trophies should be 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


265 


brought and laid at the feet of the Christianas creed. 
Here, meekly standing, are pillars, urns, and 
columns, which once with proud magnificence 
decorated some temple where the voice of oracles 
was heard, or the virgins of Vesta kept vigils before 
their sacred fires, or perhaps dying gladiators or 
mangled Christians have leaned against them until 
the dire conflict between life and death should be 
done. Oh, Clavering, I have stood beside those 
works of antiquity with every life pulse throbbing 
with eagerness, and almost prayed that some super- 
nal power like that which fables say animated the 
statue of Memnon, would breathe softly on them, 
that they might utter solemn revelations of the past. 
The church of St. Paul’s presents nothing in its 
exterior to please the eye, it looks like an immense 
barn, but within it is enriched by eighty pillars of 
such exquisite material and proportions, that they 
are supposed to have been brought from an Athe- 
nian temple. 

^‘Beverly,” said Clavering, it not a little 
singular that, surrounded by everything which 
should have persuaded the instinctively noble and 
tender emotions of your soul to converge to one point 
of faith, you remained so vacillating and indifferent 
about the religion of Eome?^^ 

Perhaps so,^^ answered Mr. Beverly, smiling; 

but you know that I have queer penchants at times, 
and one seized me very suddenly in Rome. At the 
extremity of Mount Palinus is an arch celebrating 


2Q6 


THE STUDENT OF 


Titus’s conquest of Jerusalem. It is said to be a re- 
markable fact that no Jew ever passes beneath it, 
and the little pathway which they always take to 
avoid it was pointed out to me. Clavering, it 
touched me deeply; that this people, who rank no 
longer among the nations of the earth, should, from 
the depths of their degradation, so proudly remem- 
ber their ancient glories, and at this remote day re- 
fuse submission to the conqueror who caused the 
final and dire overthrow of their queen-like city, 
and the dispersion of their fathers. Since then I 
have honored these descendants of kings and high 
priests, whether covered with rags or wrapped in 
furs; I revere them as the first chosen of God, and 
his best beloved, who are still surrounded by his pro- 
tecting hand, which will, as of old, guide them 
safely beyond the desert of their woes.” 

He loves them,” said Clavering gently, ^'as a 
father loves the prodigal whose excesses have 
banished him from the glory of his house. With 
them Almighty God will make an equal balance of 
justice, and when the penalties of their unbelief, its 
degradation, and multiplied afflictions fill up the 
measure, the prodigal will be permitted to return. — 
He whom they madly rejected, the meek and lowly 
Jesus, will then appear unto them, not as a ^pillar 
of cloud,’ but their true Messiah, and that proud 
Jerusalem which he loved as a mother loves her 
firstborn, will raise her forehead from the dust, 
while blood-stained Golgotha, radiant and serene, 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


267 


smiles in forgiveness on the wanderers. Then, 
Beverly, the earth which has so long been shaken 
by the tribulations of war, pestilence and famine, 
will know peace. Ought we not to weep, and pray 
that Almighty God may shorten the time of their 
exile ? ” 

Mr. Beverly regarded Clavering with an indescrib- 
able expression of countenance, in which hope and 
dread were so blended, that it was difficult to tell 
which predominated. He had not seen as much 
consciousness of life about him for weeks, and knew 
not whether the reaction might be beneficial or 
injurious to him, but fearing that he might discern 
his fears and share their contagion, he answered 
Clavering’s enthusiastic expressions by a remark so 
peculiarly characteristic of his original temperament, 
that his friend could not forbear a smile. 

Had I lived,” said he, in the days of Christ, 
when he and his followers were despised, scourged, 
and put to death, I should, without doubt, have 
bidden all the formula of the Mosaic law a decided 
adieu, and shared the hardships of that little band 
with heroic joy, and thrown defiance at those who 
persecuted them. I should have been a most out- 
rageous Christian ; but as it is. Clavering, that little 
circumstance almost made a Jew of me. And now, 
to show you what an impulsive fellow I am, when I 
visited the Coliseum, the terrific past, with its un- 
holy pageants therein acted, was so plainly before 
me, that I became quite Christianized again. I was 


268 


THE STUDEKT OF 


alone by moonlight in the Coliseum , — just imagine 
it. Clavering ; ah, then it was on this earth where 
mortals had yielded up their life-blood for the sake 
of Him who died for us, that I felt most distinctly 
the divine inspirations of that faith for which they 
suffered. I kissed the dust thus sanctified, but se- 
lected no particular spot, for where their blood had 
not penetrated the earth, their forms, dragged from 
side to side of the arena struggling with hungry 
lions or goaded tigers, had touched it, their footsteps 
had marked it, and I could fancy no inch of ground 
which had not thus been made holy. Such things 
may be effaced, but not worn out.” 

Beverly,” said Olavering, my friend, we will 
talk no more of Italy ; methinks it has awakened 
within me vain regrets, and still vainer hopes. 
How I should have felt beside you amidst that 
mighty ruin, lit up by the peaceful light of a radiant 
moon, and rendered more sacred by the silence of 
night, let these trembling hands and this throbbing 
heart attest ; they but pulsate with my wishes — 
they urge me to cling to life. This must not he — 
yet be not wounded, my best of friends ; some other 
day I will tell you of a fairer clime than Italia’s ; I 
will talk with you of its imperishable glories, of its 
golden fields, and everlasting hills of light. There, 
Beverly, time wears not out — immortality, peace, 
and eternal youth ; in that atmosphere no clouds or 
tears ” 

He sunk back exhausted on his pillows, and w^hile 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


269 


serene visions of eternal life floated through his soul, 
and his lips moved silently in humble prayer, he 
became insensible. That evening, when Father 
Francis called to see Clavering, he found Mr. Bev- 
erly alone in the drawing-room, so gloomy and 
abstracted, that his heart was immediately filled 
with the saddest prognostics concerning the fate of 
his young friend, and as he wrung his hands he 
could only briefly say : “ He is worse ? 

He is, sir ; he is much worse, and I — fool that I 
was — am the cause.’' 

“ My dear sir,” said Father Francis, surprised, 
‘‘your grief lends an ambiguity to your language 
which I do not understand.” 

“ Perhaps, sir,” replied Mr. Beverly, after a short 
pause, “you have observed that my sentiments, 
feelings, and opinions are somewhat different from 
those of the rest of mankind, and, being thus singu- 
lar, it is not surprising that I have never formed a 
personal and affectionate friendship for any human 
being. Do not understand me, sir, to mean that I 
felt indifferent to the weal or woe of my fellow men ; 
so far from this, I regarded them collectively and 
impartially as brethren ; their griefs afflicted me, 
their joys saddened me, for well I knew that the 
sure penalty of smiles was in the end bitter tears. 
But, sir, there was nothing spiritual in my view of 
life, and although my soul had yearned for a con- 
genial friend during many years of intercourse with 
the world and its denizens, I found it not ; no one 


270 


THE STUDENT OF 


among men had ever touched the deeper chords of 
my heart ; no spirit was there to unseal its hidden 
sympathies, and I had begun to think that the 
friendship after which I sought was an ignis fatuus 
that would always evade me, until I met Clavering. 
Sir, hoy as he is in comparison with myself, his 
pure, trusting, enduring, and brave heart has made 
me feel that there is at least one on earth with whom 
my very being could become incorporated. This 
may seem unnatural, perhaps unmanly ; but believe 
me, it is true. During his illness, his decline, I 
have watched him hourly ; sir, I felt that every new 
symptom of coming death was absorbing some por- 
tion of my existence; my anxiety became insupport- 
able; I was unwilling to believe his disease was mortal, 
and cheated myself into thinking that probably a 
want of energy had kept the recuperative powers of 
his system in check, and determined to administer a 
mental stimulus, and then, if it partially aroused 
him, I intended bearing him off in triumph to some 
southern land, and trust to the goodness of God for 
a happy result. 

^^Alas!^^ observed Father Francis, ^^we shall 
soon, very soon, have to . commend his disembodied 
spirit to the tender mercies of his Almighty Lord 
and Father. But how ” 

Mr. Beverly leaned his face on his hands, and 
uttered deep sighs. ^^Sir,^^ said he at last to 
Father Francis, ^^you think me weak, perhaps 
heathenish; you cannot understand how a man 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


271 


who has confidence in the wisdom of Almighty God 
has so little faith, resignation, or humility, or what- 
ever you may call it. I confess, sir, my boasted 
code of philosophy, my generalizing system is 
crumbling beneath the strange and all-absorbing 
interest which I feel in this one being, and I am 
compelled to acknowledge, from this singular inci- 
dent in my life, that the soul may be expansive, it 
may embrace with its eternal instincts all the inhabi- 
tants of earth in one bond of heavenly charity, but 
this principle cannot be nomadic; the dove may 
wander with the olive branch over lifers troubled 
fiood; sunshine may rest upon its wings, but they 
will become weary and faint at last, and unless it 
enters within the ark which fioats serenely beneath 
the bright arch of the new covenant, its efforts will 
be vain, and it must perish. 

True, sir,” said Father Francis, looking with 
much interest at his singular companion; "‘but 
know you not where this ark of safety is moored? 
The flood which engulfed a world bears her upwards 
but nearer heaven. The Holy Spirit of the eternal 
God rests like a halo with and about her; her 
windows are always open to receive those who, 
weary with tempestuous doctrines which ever ebb 
and flow and change among men, would fain enter 
this safe and immutable sanctuary; can you not 
discern in the ark of the olden time a prototype of 
the church of Christ ? ” 

“ Without difficulty, without difficulty,” replied 


272 


THE STUDENT OF 


Mr. Beverly, abstractedly, for his thoughts again 
wandered to his dying friend, and after a few 
moments^ silence he exclaimed: ^^It was a mad, 
foolish act, thoughtless beyond expression, sir! I 
might have eloquently beguiled his thoughts into 
something like life, without playing so roughly on 
all the finely strung chords of his sensitive soul. 
Memories almost forgotten of the Vatican, the castle 
of St. Angelo, the Forum, the Mamertine prisons, 
the banks of the Tiber, the Appian way, and the 
seven ancient hills, with all their authentic historical 
traditions, would have thronged on my mind. For 
the moment we might have existed in the past, and, 
while walking along the shaded paths of Mount 
Aventinus, communed with the august shades of 
Pompey, Caesar, and Cicero on the very spots ren- 
dered immortal by being their favorite haunts. But, 
sir, instead of this, instead of wisely depicting to 
him the interesting story of Eome^s ancient glories, 
rehearsing her splendid fables, and kindling up the 
light of poetry on her deserted pagan fanes, I com- 
menced just where I should have stopped. I dwelt 
with glowing tongue on that epoch where the meet- 
ing of paganism and Christianity caused time to 
pulsate with convulsive throes, and instead of linger- 
ing before the mythological agonies of Laocoon and 
the sublime, although fabled, sorrow of Niobe, I 
talked of martyrs who suffered for Christ, and led 
him in imagination to the sacred ground which had 
drank their blood. It was too much, sir; I defeated 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 273 

by it my own object, and he is now suffering the 
consequences of my indiscretion.^^ 

The servant entered just then, and handing a 
letter to Mr. Beverly, said: For Mr. Clavering, 
sir.""" 

Letter! said Mr. Beverly, taking it from the 
salver, and examining the post-mark, from Blen- 
heim Forest! I cannot give it to him, sir, will you 
oblige me by doing so? 

‘"Certainly,” replied Father Francis, “and if 
Louis does not sleep, I will go up and see him.” 

“He inquired for you, sir, a few minutes ago,” 
observed the servant who had been waiting. 

“ My dear Mr. Beverly,” observed Father Fran- 
cis gently, “you accuse yourself too bitterly. Your 
intentions were most pure and friendly; your wishes 
almost holy, in behalf of your friend the conse- 
quences unfortunately have not corresponded with 
those wishes, and yet there is no reason for despond- 
ency. It is but one of the many lessons of disap- 
pointment which it is necessary that we should 
practically learn, to convince us that our whole and 
entire dependence should be placed alone on Almighty 
God. Life, health, soul, and body, friends and the 
capabilities of enjoyment proceed alone from Him ; 
they are invaluable loans for which much spiritual 
interest will be required, and this interest must be 
paid by submission, meekness, and resignation to 
his divine will under all circumstances, and a com- 
pliance with his divine laws. There are some 
18 


274 


THE STUDENT OF 


heaven-born spirits who practise almost intuitively 
these sacred precepts, but there are others also who 
require stern lessons to remind them of neglected 
duties and passing opportunities, and happy for those 
who, when they are chastised, acknowledge a 
Father’s hand in the events which may have 
afflicted or disappointed them; happy if through 
the gloom they can discern the light of his counte- 
nance.” 

‘SSir,” said Mr. Beverly, raising his head, and 
looking keenly at Father Francis, you think me, 
then, one of those who require stern lessons? ” 

I do, sir. Your independent and sanguine 
nature, which has hitherto depended exclusively on 
its own prolific resources for happiness and enjoy- 
ment, will experience, I fear, some sober and grave 
changes ere it learns to understand the requisitions 
of the new spiritual law which our great High 
Priest — the God-man, our Redeemer and Friend 
established.” 

Sir,” said Mr. Beverly, I admire frankness 
and truth, but when they are blended with fearless- 
ness and humility in the character of a legate of 
high heaven, I revere them. You have reproved 
me, a thing which no other man has ever had the 
courage to do; you have counselled me during the 
period of our intercourse in a manner which, while 
it has exposed to me my own weaknesses of character, 
has been at once so mild and dignified, that 1 
could only acknowledge its justice v/ithout defend- 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


275 


ing myself. Ere long my soul will rest her wearied 
faculties in that sacred and immutable shelter above 
which the celestial dove ever watches, that the 
power of evil may not prevail against it, and where 
alone change comes not forever. In the bosom of 
the Catholic church I expect this undisturbed repose; 
but, sir, as a candid man, I must, say that my mind 
is now so absorbed by intense anxiety concerning 
my friend, that I am not free to act in as decided a 
manner as the importance of the subject demands.” 

Father Francis sighed, and looking with a gentle 
and earnest glance at Mr. Beverly, replied: Think 
you not, sir, that it would cause Clavering the 
most unmitigated regrets, if he knew that for his 
sake you thus trifled with the interests and welfare 
of your immortal soul? Why not follow his noble 
example? With far more important considerations 
than your own to delay this matter, he- counted 
them as nothing when weighed in the balance of 
his duty to Almighty God, and decidedly, and man- 
fully determined to suffer all things for Christ. I 
will now go up to this patient sufferer, and learn 
yet another lesson of meekness and patience from 
him.” 

The letter which Clavering received from Blen- 
heim Forest contained a few lines from his mother, 
which she had hastily written to announce her ex- 
pectation of being in Baltimore in a few days with 
the colonel, whose physician had insisted on change 
of air and scene, and advised him to consult one of 


276 


THE STUDEHT OF 


the many eminent practitioners of medicine in that 
city, relative to his case. The idea of beholding 
those faces which he had never hoped again to see 
on earth, suffused his almost exhausted system with 
another upflashing of life, and the struggle between 
the excited human hopes which still palpitated in his 
heart, and the entire resignation of his soul to the 
will of Almighty God, again exhausted him so 
entirely, that all feared that ere the morning light 
dawned again on earth his spirit would have left his 
tenement. Father Francis administered to him the 
last rites of the church, at which most solemn 
sacrament all the pious family assisted; and after 
the mid-watches of the night had tolled, while he 
lay once more composed and tranquil, he received 
the most holy Viaticum. In this PRESEiq'CE, honored 
by this divine guest, no turbulent thought durst op- 
press him; but angels with heaven^s own sunlight 
on their wings brooded in celestial bands around 
him. Happy for mortals is the principle of faith. 
Were there no recompense beyond this life, how 
justly might they complain and murmur in insup- 
portable sadness; but as it is, there is hope with an 
eternal fruition to cheer them on. Along the 
rugged pathway of life, although blood, and tears, 
and sighs mingle bitterly with every draught of joy, 
and blossoms wither and fall ere we can gather them 
into our garner-house of love, the soul, led by faith, 
patience, and resignation to the termination of her 
weary pilgrimage, approaches the portals of immor- 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


277 


tal life, and after being purified from every stain, 
enters into those regions of rest where the smiles of 
God shine forever unclouded on the heavenly scene. 
In the living waters of that river which flows from 
the throne, all traces of tears are obliterated, and the 
spirit, while lingering beside its fountains of light, 
hears afar off the transporting harmonies of the 
seraphim as they adore the thrice holy Lord God of 
Sabaoth. Words cannot tell, neither can the 
heart of man conceive the ineffable glories of that 
better land; but with the hope of one day resting 
there forever to cheer us on, who shall dare to 
shrink from crosses, the patient endurance of which 
will secure for us such an eternal reward ? 


278 


THE STUDEI^T OF 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE SICK BOOM — KEW INCIDENTS. 

Supported by pillows. Clavering reclined in a 
large chair. His appearance was a perfect incarna- 
tion of the poetry of consumption; and while his 
eyes, flashing with its warm feverish light, and his 
cheeks, glowing with the hues of summer rose, 
almost cheated one into the belief that the bright 
dawn of life, and not its last sunset, was gleaming 
on him, his high white forehead, from which the 
dark hair fell luxuriantly back in many a waving 
mass, wore an expression of the most perfect peace, 
and a happy smile lent to his countenance a rare and 
indescribable shade of spiritual beauty. Alice, with 
a child^s pure love of the beautiful, had brought 
roses and a few rare flowers from her little conserva- 
tory, and insisted on Clavering’s receiving them. 
They now lay withering in the grasp of his hot, 
fevered hand. Like earth’s promises, they faded 
when their hues were most dazzling; their bright 
leaves drooped, and in faint exhalations the breath 
of their life and sweetness was passing away. 
Father Francis was by his side. Mrs. Botelar and 
Alice sat apart, and by the light which streamed in 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


279 


through the only open window, were earnestly en- 
gaged in completing some lady-like and useful piece 
of handiwork, while they conversed in a low, cheer- 
ful tone on various interesting and cheerful topics. 

^‘My child, said Father Francis, ^^you are ex- 
pecting to see soon those you love? 

Yes, dear father, replied Clavering; if such 
is the will of Almighty God, I shall once more see 
my venerated parents.'’^ 

But suppose,” continued Father Francis in an 
undertone, that some unforeseen Providence 
should detain them beyond the necessary time, 
would the idea of such a sacrifice disturb the tran- 
quillity of your last moments? ” 

Father,” answered he, after a short pause, 
pointing to his crucifix which always hung near him, 
^^that teaches me grateful and humble submissiou. 
For the last three days it seems that I cannot behold 
it too often; whenever I turn my eyes towards it, 
every emotion of my soul, every human hope and 
anxious wish is merged into one grand and sublime 
sentiment of resignation to the divine will of our 
Lord, and the joy of a happy reunion with my 
beloved father and mother, or the pangs of disap- 
pointed hope, will be sanctified by this. I wish for 
nothing, I hope for nothing, but that the will of 
God may be accomplished in me.” 

^^But, my dear child,” said Father Francis, will- 
ing to probe him yet more deeply, of all those 
ardent hopes which in their turbulent anxiety 


280 


THE STUDENT OF 


threatened a few days ago to destroy the feeble ten- 
ure by which you hold on life, are none now left? 
Is there no yearning, no wish, no secret wish that 
those who were the fond guardians of your infancy 
and boyhood should gather around your pillow when 
the last sad agony of nature deprives us of you? ” 

It is all passed away! away forever,” replied 
Clavering with a happy smile. Almighty God be 
praised, the chain of life has dropped its links one 
by one, soma have been broken rudely, others have 
melted in the ordeal through which I have passed, 
and my spirit is now almost free. I think of God, 
his mercy and love, and eternity, and I am no 
longer sensible of pain, I look down from this ele- 
vated summit of thought which is tinged with the 
light of heaven^s own love, and feel selfishly happy, 
so happy that I dare not dim the transcendent scene 
by a tear or disturb the celestial air by a sigh. I 
forget the body which suffers, and think only of the 
spirit which is healed.” 

For a minute or so Clavering^s face, glowing with 
smiles, was uplifted, and his eyes, radiant with 
hope, were raised upwards and seemed with intense 
gaze to pierce the veil of time, and hold sweet com- 
munion with the spirits of heaven, and while his 
hand, grasping unconsciously those fragrant flowers, 
pointed thitherward, he looked like an angelic being 
offering up emblems of his own stainless life. 

^^It is well, my child,” at last said Father Fran- 
cis; I congratulate you. I wish you joy. In tljte 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


281 


holy company of angels, in sweet companionship 
with Mary and Joseph, reposing forever in the 
smiles and love of our Lord, you will forget the 
ordeal through which you have passed, and the re- 
membrance of bitterness or tears will not there dis- 
turb you. May the term of your probation be 
shortened, and may you enter speedily into those 
ineffable scenes of perfect and unalloyed bliss. 

Father Francis now stepped aside to make his 
adieus to Mrs. Botelar, and say a few words of en- 
couragement to Alice, who was preparing for her 
first Communion, when the door opened and Mrs. 
Talmadge entered softly. Her eccentric but loving 
character had often made the sick room happy with 
smiles, and as she frequently related, with much 
earnest sincerity, little incidents connected with her 
various charitable expeditions, her hearers could but 
admire those self-denying acts for which she was so 
famed, and by which she accomplished an incal- 
culable amount of good, and yet spoke of them as 
of the most ordinary and every-day occurrences. 

^^Ah!” she exclaimed, where are you all? 
This dark room is enough to give one the horrors 
outright ! Ah ! now that I see you, Mr. Clavering, 
you look most decidedly better ; in fact you look 
well ; but you never complain, and are now, I sup- 
pose, gathering the fruit of your patience. Some 
people have a fancy, and I among them, that 
moans and complaints do sick folks a vast deal of 


282 


THE STUDENT OF 


good, and I have been sometimes half provoked at 
your ” 

‘^Patience?” inquired Father Francis, pleas- 
antly. 

^^The heavens above help us,” exclaimed the 
lady, starting with surprise ; the — the priest’s 
amongst us taking notes.” 

The priest,” replied Father Francis, smiling, 
would have trembled for his good name had he 
known you could quote so readily from the Scottish 
bard.” 

Ah, well ! I am everlastingly getting .into some 
scrape or other, but it will be all the same a hun- 
dred years hence. Whereas Mr. Beverly ? ” 

Good day, my dear,” said Mrs. Botelar, advanc- 
ing ; can you spare breath enough to honor me ? ” 

How are you, Mrs. Botelar ? I suppose I must 
beg your pardon for dashing in so unceremoniously? 
Wh Orel’s Mr. Beverly ? ” 

Gone in search of you I believe, my dear,” re- 
plied the lady. 

How provoking ! Between ourselves and the 
walls, Mr. Beverly donT understand the meaning 
of the word patience very well, and I have been 
promising him for a week or two past to take him 
some fine day to learn a lesson from old Jeffries, 
and waited until twelve to-day, thinking perhaps he 
might call, but as he did not, I went out alone to 
see my eld friend.” 


BLEKHEIM FOEEST. 


283 


And how is he ? ” inquired Mrs. Botelar ; I 
heard from Dorothy that he was much worse. 

Well, I heard so from his son, and really felt a 
wicked kind of a curiosity to know whether or not 
he had a complaint or murmur to make: but not he 
indeed ! There he sat, propped up in his chair, 
looking more incomparably happy and incorrigibly 
patient than I ever saw him. ‘ Well/ said I, ^Jef- 
fries how are you to-day ? ^ Better, madam/ he 

said. ^ But, ^ said I, ^you have been much worse ! 
The inflammatory rheumatism in your arm with 
paralysis in your right side was no trifle.^ ^Ah ! 
Mad am, ^ said he, ^ when I thought of what our 
innocent Lord suffered, and how he suffered, the 
pain I felt seemed like nothing, and then when a 
little ease came and the pain left me, I was so 
thankful, madam, that I forgot all about it.^— 
^ But,’ said I, ^do you not grow tired of solitude, 
Jeffries, and weary of remaining so many hours in 
one position? it is enough to kill one.’ MVell, 
madam,’ he replied, ^ you see my son has fixed rol- 
lers on my chair, and, thank God, I still have the 
use of one of my legs, and, as the chair rolls very 
smooth, I can travel all over the room. I have every- 
thing to be grateful for; my son is one of the 
best boys in the world, and, if he can help it, he 
never leaves me all day alone, but runs home from 
his work when the rest go to dinner, and the master 
gives him leave to see if his old father wants any- 
thing. He fixes those flowers there in that warm 


284 


THE STUDENT OF 


place in tlie casement, and while I sit here alone 
the bright sunshine streams in, and the flowers grow 
bright, and I lift up my eyes and thank God that I 
can still see, and I look and look until I begin to 
think and think, and then that lily shining so white 
in the sun reminds me of the Blessed Virgin, and 
the roses and hyacinths of the holy angels all filled 
with one glory ! ^ ^ But the sun does not always 

shine, Jeflries ; how then ^Madam,^ said he, 
^ just rise up a little, and look out to the side of 
yonder hill, and tell me what you see/ ^ See, why 
I see a grave, Jeffries, with a white crpss at the 
head/ ‘Yes, madam, ^ he said, ‘that is my poor 
old Mary^s grave, and no matter how dark the 
weather or how gloomy the day, when I look at that 
my thoughts ascend to her, and I think of the time 
when we shall see each other again in a land, 
madam, where we will, through the mercy of our 
Lord, rest forever/ That poor afflicted old man 
made me ashamed of myself, and I could but think 
of a certain celebrated 'personage who in vain 
tempted holy Job ; so I left him, after conversing a 
short time longer with him, determined for the 
future that confidence in God should throw its sun- 
shine always about me. Blessings are everlastingly 
floating around us, and we care not to grasp them 
with contentment ; we prize them not until our 
capabilities for enjoying them are destroyed, or they 
fly away, and distance lends an unattainable en- 
chantment to their view. Ah, me ! we may he 


BLEI^HEIM FOREST. 


285 


learning all onr lives, and yet know comparatively 
nothing.’’ 

Mrs. Talmadge growing sententious! ” exclaimed 
Mrs Botelar; miracles will never cease.” 

But that good lady was so accustomed to do every- 
thing in her own way and manner, and bid defiance 
to all etiquette or form, that, without waiting a 
moment to listen or give a reply to Mrs. Botelar, she 
had snatched up a chair and seated herself before 
Clavering, and was soon carrying on a whispered 
conversation with him. Ah! how seldom should 
we judge -from appearance, and how slowly should 
opinions be formed of persons from mere manner. 
With the invalid’s hand in her own, and her face 
bent towards him, many and sweet were the words 
of consolation and hope which she uttered, and so 
thrilling was the language that she poured into his 
ear, and which told of the better land, that a minis- 
tering spirit might have dictated it. 

Shortly after Father Francis and Mrs. Talmadge 
had taken leave, Tom entered the room noiselessly, 
and presented Mrs. Botelar a card; she read the few 
words on it, and, becoming very pale, looked invol- 
untarily at Clavering. 

"'I understand all, kind friend,” he said; "‘they 
have come! My mother — my venerated father; is it 
not so, my dear madam?” 

He was perfectly calm, and while Mrs. Botelar 
was astonished at his composure, she could not feel 
sufficiently grateful that this arrival, which she had 


286 


THE STUDENT OF 


SO much dreaded on his account, seemed likely, by 
the grace of God, to disturb him not, but on the 
contrary, to tranquillize and soothe him still more; 
so, finding that she could safely announce it, she 
answered candidly and sincerely: 

The Colonel and Mrs. Clavering have arrived. 
You were right, my child. They are at the hotel. 
This card is from your mother; she requests me to 
come to her immediately, as the colonel is so much 
exhausted by travel that it is impossible for her to 
leave him until to-morrow. 

^^Go, my best of friends,'’^ he replied, ^^and pre- 
sent me with the tenderest affection to those two. 
Tell my father that I am dying — ^tell him — ^but no, 
it might unnerve him too suddenly. Say what you 
will, dear madam; your own heart will dictate what 
is proper under existing circumstances; but break 
the matter gently to them, gently to my mother, 
and may our Mother of Sorrows impart to her soul, 
strength and fortitude to bow with utter submission 
to the divine will.” 

^^Ah! my child, may this heavenly composure 
continue, but I fear — ” Mrs. Botelar could not con- 
tinue, for tears choked her utterance. 

^^Why is it — how is it,” said Clavering, taking 
her hand in his own, ^^that I cause so many tears 
and so much sadness? Ah! madam, weep not, but 
rather rejoice that lifers fitful fever is nearly over, 
and that my soul shall so soon be committed to the 
tender mercies of our dear Redeemer.” 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


287 


^^True, my child. I should rather rejoice, but 
nature demands tears even while the spirit, like a 
rainbow^s arch, smiles gladly through them. I go, 
my child. Pray for those to whom I go, and to 
whom I shall hear such painful and unexpected 
tidings. Ah! here is our friend Mr. Beverly; you 
have just arrived in good time, dear sir. I am 
obliged to he away for a short time, and I am sure 
I could not leave Louis under better care.” 

Mrs. Botelar could scarcely recognize the once 
girlish form and delicate features of Josephine 
Welden in the tall and elegant woman of fifty who 
now received with such chastened dignity and grace 
her friendly salutations. The effort on Mrs. Cla- 
vering's part to act with composure in this interview, 
at which the colonel was present, was vain; too 
many recollections, imbued with the bitterness of 
disappointed hope, came thronging about her heart, 
and finally she bowed her head on Mrs. Botelar's 
shoulder, as they stood encircled in each other's 
arms, and wept bitterly. The colonel was frigid 
though polite, and looked with displeased astonish- 
ment at this (to him) unnecessary scene, and, 
when the emotion of his lady overcame every 
other consideration, and she inquired, in broken 
accents, after her child, he exclaimed, in an angry 
tone : 

‘^Forbear, madam, forbear. Save me at least 
the penalty of hearing the cause of these premature 


238 


THE STUDENT OF 


infirmities, and this premature old age discussed in 
my presence/^ 

He was leaving the room, but Mrs. Botelar arose, 
and approaching him with dignity, said : 

“ Sir, I may not be silenced on this subject, for I 
have a solemn duty to perform, a painful duty, and 
yet you will no doubt eventually thank me for not 

having shrunk from it. Your son This 

was quite enough, and the colonel abruptly left the 
room. 

Cruel, unkind, and stern to the last,^^ exclaimed 
Mrs. Clavering, sinking back on the sofa; ‘^but tell 
me his mother; surely I have a right to know; how is 
it with him ? 

My beloved friend,^’ said Mrs. Botelar, ^^had I 
once sent you a jewel of inestimable value, telling 
you that, at some future day, I should demand it 
from you, how would you have acted when I re- 
quired the costly trust from your hands ? Would 
you have insisted on retaining that which had been 
loaned you for a season, or even felt unwilling to 
yield up to me my own ? ” 

^^Why, why,” asked Mrs. Clavering, with 
blanched cheeks and trembling lips, ^^why such 
strange questions ? ” 

Answer me, my dear,” said Mrs. Botelar, em- 
phatically. 

^‘Assuredly I would have returned your gem, 
and thanked you for reposing such confidence in me, 
and felt still more grateful for being relieved of the 


BLENHEIM FOEEST. 


289 


great responsibility of the trust. But my child, my 
child — Mrs. Botelar, you have not yet answered 
me?"" 

‘^In your child,"" replied the lady, solemnly, 
""behold the jewel of priceless worth committed to 
your care and keeping by Almighty God. He is 
now about demanding back the treasure he loaned 
you; be not ungenerous or selfish, but in the humble 
hope of again reclaiming it, bright with new lustre 
on the morning of the resurrection, yield him up — 
yield him up."" 

""You mean to say,"" gasped Mrs. Clavering, 
""that my child is dying ? "" 

""Yes,"" answered Mrs. Botelar, slowly, ""dy- 
ing "" 

""Ah! madam, say no more, say no more: this 
is indeed bitterness — ^the lees of the chalice, the 
consummation of the sacrifice! Can I now say, 0 
God, thy will be done? Oh! Queen of heaven. 
Consolation of the afflicted! thou who didst also 
suffer on earth, teach me resignation like thine. I 
will go with you, my friend; lead me to the death- 
bed of my only child."" 

A few moments sufficed for the necessary prepara- 
tion, and but a few more were sufficient to bear her 
to the presence of her son. He stretched forth his 
arms towards her, and the word "" mother "" trembled 
on his lips, but ere she could reach him a piercing 
shriek burst from the depths of her overcharged 
heart, and she fell lifeless at his feet. Clavering 
19 


290 


THE STUDENT OF 


joined his hands on his breast, and, with an expres- 
sion of meek patience on his countenance, fixed his 
eyes on his crucifix, and prayed — prayed for that 
tender mother who had suffered so much and so 
keenly for his sake. 

When Colonel Clavering left Mrs. Botelar so ab- 
ruptly, he descended to the reading-room, and while 
he was looking testily over the papers, his attention 
was arrested by hearing his own name repeated in a 
broad Irish accent. 

How is he, Barney said a voice. 

^‘An’isit Misther Clavering ye^re afther askin^ 
for ? ” 

Yes; how is he? He was extremely ill a day or 
two ago; how is he to-day, Barney 

Dyin^ sir, dyin^ by inches, an’ pining the sowl 
out ov his body to see his onnathural parents. Sure 
it is Madam Botelar’s as kind as an angil, but a 
mother you know, sir, is a mother the world over.” 

‘‘lam sincerely sorry,” observed the gentleman 
to another, “that he continues so ill; for never 
before was there an interruption to a greater life of 
promise.” 

“ Of whom do you speak, Talmadge ? ” 

“ Oh, I thought you knew all about the affair, 
Lee. He is the son of Colonel Clavering, of Vir- 
ginia, who has disinherited him because he became a 
Catholic.” 

“ Is his disease incurable ? ” 

“ Quite so. He is dying of a rapid consumption. 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


291 


Dr. Lurbeck told me yesterday that he could scarcely 
live a week.^^ 

A cry of agony was heard, and a fall, and a hurry- 
ing of people to the spot, and Colonel Clavering 
was found insensible on the floor of the reading room. 
‘‘ Who is he? “ What is he? What is the mat- 
ter? ” were the inquiries passed around. 

Who is he ? cried the proprietor of the house, 
entering the room. Heavens ! it is Col. Clavering; 
assist me in bearing him tq his room, gentlemen, if 
you please, and some one go for a physician imme- 
diately.’^ 

Mrs. Clavering was sitting by her child; his head 
reposed on her breast as it once did in days of yore; 
no word had been spoken of the past; the present 
hour, with its cares and blessings, filled their hearts; 
his face wore the same tranquil and happy smile, 
and his eyes soon closed in sweet slumber. It 
seemed as if an atmosphere of heavenly peace had 
gathered around him, which no evil power could 
wish or even dare to intrude on. While the mother 
and son were sitting thus, a furious ring at the front 
door gave evidence of visitors. Tom attended the 
summons, and an old man, haggard and trembling, 
tottered in from a coach that stood at the curb, and 
inquired for Mrs. Botelar. She heard the unusual 
noise, and was approaching the door, when Col- 
onel Clavering, for it was he, met her and exclaimed: 

Forgive me, forgive me, madam, I have suffered 


292 


THE STUDEJSTT OF 


much; where is mj boy? he is dying; take me to 
him/’ 

Compose yourself, sir, I entreat,” said the lady; 
sit here. Colonel Clavering; you are exhausted, and 
this violent agitation will not only injure you, but 
our dear boy; it might prove fatal to him.” 

""0 God — 0 God!” cried the old man, striking 
his forehead, I have killed him! stricken — stricken 
— stricken. Madam, this is no time to detain a 
father from his child. 3y what right am I kept 
away from him when he is — dying? ” 

This last word was uttered amidst weeping and 
sighs. Fortunately Father Francis now came in to 
pay his usual evening visit to Clavering, and Mrs. 
Botelar introduced him to the colonel, who, forget- 
ting all bitterness in the excess of his anguish, 
offered his hand; when at another time he would 
have saluted him with a distant bow and supercilious 
air. Mrs. Botelar left the room to go up and apprise 
Clavering of the unexpected presence of his father. 

And has he come at last?” whispered the young 
man, “^at last! I thank thee, 0 God! I deserve not 
these blessings.” 

Will you see him now, my dear? ” inquired the 
lady. 

^^Yes, dear madam, if you please. My mother! 
why these tears? This re-union, mother, is happy; 
but how transporting will be the re-union in the 
land of love, where separations are unheard of, where 
it will be eternal.” 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


293 


Mrs. Botelar returned to the parlor, and found 
the colonel more composed, and listening with deep 
interest as Father Francis spoke in terms of high 
and well deserved encomium of his son, and threw 
in consolatory hints and gently soothing words 
which fell on his heart like a blessing. Leaving a 
message for the invalid. Father Francis made his 
adieus, thinking wisely that there was a sacredness 
in the meeting thus brought about by a good Provi- 
dence, which might be sympathized in, but not 
looked on by stranger eyes. 

The colonel entered the room of his son with fal- 
tering steps. Clavering would have risen up and 
gone to meet him, but disease had encroached too 
much on his strength, and he could only hold out 
his hands with a welcome gesture. The colonel 
approached, and taking his hands within his own, 
stood before him gazing silently and earnestly on the 
beautiful wreck : he scanned every feature, looked 
at his emaciated hands, and then stooped forward 
and kissed his forehead, and ere a word or action of 
Clavering could prevent it, his father was kneeling 
by his side. 

^‘Forgive me, my child, he whispered; forgive 
me.” 

This was too much; it was the drop which 
caused the already brimming cup to overflow, and 
he fell forward on his fathers neck almost dying, 
^^Ah! sir,” he whispered after a few moments^ 
pause, ^^why is this? Eather forgive me all the 


294 


THE STUDENT OF 


pain and anguish I have caused you. In this 
solemn hour, my father, I declare to you that noth- 
ing — no earthly considerations — no persuasions, or 
entreaty, or influence could have made me act con- 
trary to your will; but, my father, duty to Almighty 
God directed me, his holy spirit impelled me, and 
the salvation of my soul required the sacriflce.” 

Enough, Louis — it has passed. Would to God 
I had acted differently. I believe you, my child. 
You ^have proved the sincerity of your principles; 
you are about offering up your life for them, and 
I — I, who should have shielded you from every dan- 
ger, have been your most cruel foe.^^ 

Father, said Clavering, gazing with dim eyes 
on the tears which streamed in torrents over the fur- 
rows of his face, you pain me. Mother, have you 
no word of consolation to utter? My breath fails 
me — my strength is utterly exhausted; come, mother, 
and say all that I would say.^^ 

They lifted him gently up, and laid him on his 
couch. Violent paroxysms of pain racked his frame; 
the terrible cough seemed about to tear asunder the 
last vital thread, and a dark stream of blood slowly 
welled up from some broken vein, but no murmur 
escaped his lips, no complaint was uttered; but still 
looking on his cruciflx, he offered up his sufferings 
gladly and with meekness to him who had known 
sorrows, and tasted for him the bitterness of death. 
In conjunction with these, he gloried in the cross, 
and thought of those illustrious martyrs of God 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


295 


'^wlio had fought to win the prize, and sailed 
through bloody seas,” until, in his ardor, he would 
have embraced with joy sufferings ten-fold more 
appalling had the will of God inflicted them on 
him.. 


296 


THE STUDENT OF 


CHAPTER XX. 

“ Ahi! nuir altro chi pianto al mondo dura.’^ 

Petrarca. 

LAST REQUESTS — ^THE CATHOLIC PRIEST AS HE IS. 

During an interval of a few days the invalid re- 
mained composed and tranquil, and almost entirely 
free from those violent paroxyms which lately had 
so racked his frame. Nothing could surpass the 
tender devotion of his parents, the unslumbering 
care of his mother, or the sad and watchful atten- 
tion of the colonel, who in a thousand nameless 
ways, and by unnumbered acts of thoughtful kind- 
ness, testified his repentant regrets. Lonely and 
sad were his vigils in the silent night hours, by the 
side of his dying child, when remorse like a burning 
coal, consumed the quiet of his heart, and memory, 
with bitterness on her tongue, whispered over and 
over again, the startling truth that he alone had, 
by his blind and violent prejudices, been the means 
of shattering the urn which contained his most 
costly treasure. How unlike the divine model 
which he professed to follow, how little in accord- 
ance with the spirit of that religion which he deemed 
perfect, had been his conduct; he had dared to step 
in and judge between the inspirations of an im- 


BLEl^HEIM FOREST. 


297 


mortal soul and God; he had not only inflicted on 
the body all the evils which it was in his power 
to command, but, in his arrogance, would have 
wrested that souhs faith away, and torn it from its 
sanctuary at the foot of the cross, and, by worldly 
promises, bribed from it the sacred substance of relig- 
ion, to which it trustingly clung, and shrouded it 
once again in shadows and nothingness; but the 
effort had been worse than useless, and now there 
was nothing left for the broken-hearted old man, 
but funereal sadness and repentant tears. Nothing 
could have shown more distinctly the revulsion 
which had taken place in his feelings, than the cir- 
cumstance of his frequently reading aloud from 
books of Catholic devotion. This, even now, was 
no small sacrifice, as the sometimes variable expres- 
sions of his countenance would indicate. At certain 
passages he would involuntarily pause, while a 
scornful smile curled his lip, and again a shade of 
profound contempt flitted across, and disturbed his 
brow, and, at such moments, a casual observer 
might have discovered from the quivering of his lips 
that his sentiments almost found utterance; yet, by 
an effort, he suppressed them, and a single glance 
at his dying son, a recollection of his heroic and 
patient suffering for the sake of this religion, whose 
sacred lessons and precepts he despised (not because 
they were not, in themselves, good and pure in 
their meanings, but the fact of their emanating from 
the Catholic church was, in itself, quite enough to 


298 


THE STUDENT OF 


make them less than nothing in his eyes) would 
recall him instantly to himself; but these symptoms, 
as he continued to read, became less frequent, and 
Mrs. Olavering was much astonished, on several 
occasions, to find him poring over pages which 
contained solid and indisputable arguments in favor 
of the Catholic faith. The colonel, like Mr. Bev- 
erly, would not, or could not realize that Clavering^s 
illness would terminate fatally, and trusted implic- 
itly to the hope of being able to return with him, in 
a week or two, to Blenheim Forest, and frequently 
talked of the tranquil moments they would again 
know there, and, while he conversed on the subject, 
really enjoyed the anticipation of a happy renewal 
of the days of ^^auld lang syne.” 

^^Ah ! my dear boy,” he one day said, ^^your 
old haunts need you sadly. When you return to 
them, they will again look natural. When we get 
home ” 

Dear father,” — interrupted Clavering, — when 
we get liome, do you say?” 

‘^Yes; when we once more get to Blenheim 
Forest, there will be a thousand things to interest 
and amuse your mind. There is a splendid stud of 
horses in the stables, but they, particularly the 
hunters, have been so idle and pampered, for a year 
past, that they are scarcely manageable; but you 
were always at home in the saddle; so, when you 
get stronger, I shall depend upon you to tame them 
down a little. There is fine shooting, too, Louis, 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


299 


and, as for the fishing, I don^t think old Isaac Wal- 
ton himself could have complained of it. D’ye 
remember, boy, how I caught you once, after you 
had gone out for a day’s sport? your fishing tackle 
towed off by a huge catfish, and you dreaming over 
the pages of some Greek or Latin nonsense, while 
your hand remained most perseveringly extended 
grasping, instead of your rod, the empty air. Aha! 
Blenheim Forest is still there, thank God, and rare 
times you and I will see yet, my boy.” 

“ Dear father,” said the young man with a quiv- 
ering lip, deceive not yourself. I shall never 
again see Blenheim Forest. The shadow of the 
valley of death already casts its chill about me; but, 
beloved and indulgent father, there is a request — a 
single one — which now, that the opportunity pre- 
sents itself, I would fain make.” 

^^You astonish! you pain me, Louis! Return 
home no more? I will not believe it; it is too 
monstrous a thing to think of even,” replied the 
colonel in an agitated and hurried tone. But this 
request! name it, name it at once; and if the grati- 
fication of it is within human reach, it shall be 
granted.” 

‘‘I observed once,” said Clavering, after a pause, 
the family vault, at the ^Forest,’ that the 
coffins of my ancestors were massive with silver, on 
which was inscribed, in most elaborate style, the 
armorial quarterings of the family, and glowing 
testimonials of their worth. If, sir, you are not 


300 


THE STUDEKT OF 


opposed to it, will you allow my last narrow house 
to be different from theirs? 

^‘As how!^’ inquired the colonel sternly. 

This request,” whispered Clavering to himself, 
^^may, after all, have more of human pride than 
humility in it, though Grod forbid. On my coffin 
lid, father, instead of proud armorial bearings and 
eloquent eulogies, have only my name and age 
inscribed underneath a simple cross, and this sen- 
tence ; ^By this sign we conquer!^ On the plate 
where usually the virtues of the deceased are graven, 
direct these words to be placed : ‘ Like the flowers 
of the field we wither and become incorporate with 
dust, but the soul ascends to God to be judged ac- 
cording to its works; ^ and on the smaller plate, at 
the feet, the prayer of the church for her departed 
children, Requiescat in paceJ* 

Tears started in the colonel’s eyes, as Clavering 
ceased speaking, and would have fallen, but press- 
ing his hand for a moment over them, he, by a 
great effort, controlled his emotion, and stooping 
over, he kissed his forehead, and replied: My 

son, my dear boy! these are but the gloomy antici- 
pations attendant on extreme debility, yet they pain 
me deeply, because I know they must be vastly in- 
jurious to your health. Cheer up! cheer up! you 
shall yet see the old trees of Blenheim Forest putting 
on their green leaves again in the coming spring. — 
You will be better then, Fm sure, and, arm in arm, 
we will walk forth as we did in days of yore, and 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


301 


plan, and improve, and trust each other forever, 
Louis!” There was a touching cadence in the 
old man^s voice, and an imploring and subdued ex- 
pression in the glance of his proud eagle eyes, as he 
pronounced these words, and he listened for Claver- 
ing’s answer as intently as if the sentences he might 
utter would contain in them some secret power of 
life and death, which could either give him back to 
his love, or consign him to the darkness of the lonely 
sepulchre, until the angel of the resurrection should 
open its sealed door. 

^^My father,” he said, regarding him for a 
moment with a look of profound affection, even 
should your fond wishes, relative to an improvement 
in my health, be realized, will you remember, as a 
last request, the favor I have just asked, when life 
is over with me?” 

Louis, this is a strange and unexpected request, 
and, while I dread giving you pain, I must say that 
I am entirely unprepared to decide on so singular a 
subject. You must make due allowance, my child, 
for the claims of family pride. You are my only 
son. — nay, my only child — one of whom I have 
always felt proud. SucL was my unshaken confi- 
dence in your high-toned views of honor, that even 
when we were so cruelly separated, and, on our 
way heavenward, walked in such different paths, I 
always felt a secret consciousness, in the midst of 
my anxiety and disappointment in your behalf, that 
whatever position you might occupy, or in whatever 


302 


THE STUDENT OF 


condition in life you might he placed, it would still 
be honorable to your name and character; and now, 
my son, in the sad event of your death, which God 
forbid should occur for many years, think you not 
it would wound me most exceedingly to see you, the 
last, though not least worthy of a long and distin- 
guished line and ancient name, laid as humbly down 
among your ancestors as if you had in some way, -or 
by some means, brought a stigma on their untarn- 
ished fame?” 

‘^Forgive me, sir,” said Clavering, ‘^1 would 
not do aught that could for an instant give you pain. 
I only shrunk from honors which I deserve not, and 
which I feared might be conferred on my unworthy 
and soul-forsaken dust. The wish to have graven 
on my coffin-lid the sign of that redemption, through 
which alone I hope for eternal life, and a few pious 
sentences, was perhaps too selfish. I thought that 
when occasionally the eyes of the living might fall 
on them, they would be reminded of my departed 
soul, and piously remember the same. But, as you 
please, dear father; as you please.” 

‘^Eesignation and submission, oh, my God!” 
whispered the colonel, clasping his hands, teach 
me these, or I shall madly rebel against thee ! ” 

After a short pause of intense mental agony, when 
every warring emotion of pride would fain have 
caused him to refuse the pious request of his dying 
child, natural affection, and a latent spark of hu- 
mility, which his patient example had kindled into 


BLENHEIM EOREST. 


303 


something like life, triumphed, and, in a low, broken 
voice, he at last said, It shall he done” 

Mrs. Clavering just at this moment came in to 
say to her son that she was going out for a half 
hour, and to inquire if there was anything she could 
do for his comfort hefor.e she left. ‘‘J may be de- 
tained longer, my dear, than I expect; so just think 
a moment, there may he something left undone 
which you will need before my return. 

Your kind attentions, my mother, have left me 
no wish ungratified. I need scarcely ask whither 
you are going, or for what pious purpose. Pray for 
me, mother! 

Shall I walk with you, my dear?” inquired the 
colonel; it is growing late. Mrs. Botelar will re- 
main with Louis until I return.” 

Thank you, dear Colonel, no; I am only going 
to the cathedral, which, you know, is but a short 
distance. I shall soon return.” 

‘^Then,” whispered the colonel, as he walked 
with her to the door, then, Josephine, in that holy 
place, forgive and pray for me.” 

Forgive I Best of friends, let that be an unknown 
word between us hereafter. The use of it implies 
that you have, somehow, wronged me. I have 
now nothing to forgive. We have both suffered: 
you more, much more than I. I will jjray for you.” 
^^What new wonder,” thought Mrs. Clavering, 
is this? Can it be that Almighty God, who has 
his own, time and way for the fulfilment of all 


304 


THE STUDENT OF 


things, is now as of old about opening the eyes of 
the blind? Did I understand him to say, ^ Pray for 
me in that holy place 9^ Yes, I could not be mis- 
taken, and he may yet, after all, renounce his 
errors. With this new and unlooked-for hope to 
cheer her, she entered the cathedral for the purpose 
of continuing a general confession. The last day- 
beams were stealing gently in, and a soft twilight 
hue hung over every object, through whose transpar- 
ent dimness the sacramental lamp, in lone and sil- 
very brightness, shone like the evening star. Long 
shadows fell along the deserted aisles, and by the 
uncertain light the Virgin and Child seemed like 
veiled spirits on the eve of ascending to the upper 
world. Solemn and profoundly silent was the 
scene ; every lingering worshipper had departed. 
And only the angels of the church, hung on their 
invisible pinions, to keep watch in the holy place 
which mortals had forsaken; she started at the 
sound and echo of her own footsteps, and felt most 
oppressively the meaning of the word alone. Alone! 
how sad the word; and as she knelt in humble 
adoration before the most Holy Sacrament, solemn 
thoughts of the last hours of life stole, with softened 
and subdued shadows, through the windows of her 
soul; when alone, unaided by mortal arm, the spirit 
tremblingly approaches the crumbluig sands which 
the chilly waters of death steal, one by one, away, 
and hearing the irrevocable mandate of its Judge, 
perhaps to launch forth in the sullen tide, where 


BLENHEIM FOREST, 


305 


soon the body, like an empty shell, is swept along on 
the current to forgetfulness and decay; sad, yet not 
dark, were these reflections, for God, in his love 
and mercy, had sent the ministering angels of peni- 
tence and contrition to cheer her amid her tribula- 
tion, and these brought with them hopes of eternal 
rest. In all humility she prayed for those neces- 
sary dispositions and graces which can alone insure 
forgiveness, and consigned herself, with every emo- 
tion of her soul, and those two beloved hearts who 
had requested her prayers, to the most holy will of 
God. 

She now arose to enter the confessional, when an 
individual leaving it attracted for an instant her 
attention, and as with slow and reverential step and 
eyes cast down meekly to the earth, he passed her in 
the aisle, she looked again, thinking she recognized 
something familiar in his aspect, — ^and could it be 
that under this penitential guise she recognized 
Mr. Beverly 9 It was even so. He had that evening 
entered the cathedral with a depressed and repentant 
heart, which pulsated with half-formed wishes for an 
opportunity to converse confldentially with some 
one capable of giving spiritual consolation. Firmly 
convinced of the necessity of complying with the 
requisitions of religion, disturbed alike by indeflnite 
purposes and irresolute intentions, he at once deter- 
mined, with a kind of abandon which was character- 
istic of him, to yield himself on this occasion to cir- 
cumstances. To those who do not analyze the 
20 


306 


THE STUDEHT OF 


events of life, and look on every incident that 
occurs only as an effect produced by natural causes, 
or are so fettered down to the dull clods of earth 
that they cannot understand the meaning of faith, 
Mr. Beverly^’s visit would have been looked on 
as well-timed and quite a propos ; for he had 
scarcely entered the silent temple when the aged 
and saintly man, who was in the habit of spending 
several hours daily there, glided across the sanctuary, 
and after making an act of adoration to the Majesty 
who dwells in the tabernacle, he arose, and, passing 
out, knelt near his confessional, patiently waiting 
for any penitent soul who might need his spiritual 
services. God has given his angels charge over us, 
and, in the still, quiet hour of dreams, in the haunts 
of men, on the hills or in the lonely dells of the 
forest, they linger beside us, and we, without think- 
ing of it, converse with them in happy thoughts, 
while they, guarding their trust from the charm 
and influence of the serpent siH, in that mysterious 
language which alone spirit can utter to spirit, 
whisper holy words which lead to holier impulses, 
until the soul is led repenting back to God. 

Here, through winter’s cold and summer’s fervid 
heat, came the holy man for the same pious purpose ; 
and if some poor soul but half repentant was haply 
induced to embrace the opportunity offered, and 
begin the first humble acts of a new life by entering 
the tribunal of penance, he felt more than rewarded 
for all the pains and inconvenience attendant on this 


BLEI^HEIM FOREST. 


307 


duty. Many had entered that sacred place, world- 
A^eary and bruised in spirit, without a purpose 
except to find a place to Aveep unseen, and boAv 
their heads in anguish where the cold eyes of the 
unfeeling could not turn their leaden gaze on their 
sorrows, who, seeing this indefatigable priest of God 
kneeling like an angel guide between themselves 
and heaven, had been induced to approach the 
sacred tribunal, and, while pouring forth the sins 
that mingled Avith their grief-worn story, received 
from him the human sympathy they so much 
needed, and the wise reproof, tempered with con- 
solatory advice, while their spirits, softened and 
subdued by diAune influences, listened with humble 
hope and undisturbed faith to the words of consola- 
tion which the sentence of absolution conveyed to 
them. Those have gone forth calm and resigned, 
and laid down their head at night in peace, feeling 
assured that, for duties humbly and with a proper 
spirit complied with, the blessing of God would rest 
on them. Mr. Beverly was not the man to turn 
back when once he had placed his hand on the 
plough, so without hesitation he walked forth, and, 
kneeling by the side of Father Harley, began the 
usual formula of confession, and, with much unhesi- 
tating simplicity of manner, commenced a rehearsal 
of all the sins of his past life. In this task he was 
considerably aided by Father Harley, who reminded 
and encouraged him, by many judicious questions 


308 


THE STUDENT OF 


and sacred lessons, of things which naight otherwise 
have been forgotten. 

Now he felt a tranquil satisfaction which even the 
innocence of childhood had never yielded ; there 
was nothing earthly in it, for it was humble, there 
was nothing human in it, for it was pure. His soul 
was touched, the rock was at last unsealed, and 
forth flowed tears of repentance, and Mr. Beverly 
felt for the first time the tranquillizing effects of the 
divinely instituted sacraments of the faith whose 
dogmas he had so frequently defended. The Babel 
world and its wild opinions had almost cheated this 
immortal spirit of its heritage, but it was at last true 
to itself, and returned to its shelter in the only true 
and safe fold, to go hence no more. 

As Clavering continued tranquil and apparently 
better, Mr. Beverly yielded to the entreaties of 
Father Francis, and accompanied him the next 
evening to a Mrs. Brentwood’s for the purpose of 
paying his respects to a distinguished prelate, the 
Et. Kev. Bishop North, who was a relative of this 
lady’s, and was now spending several days at her 
house. Although Mrs. Brentwood was entitled by 
the high respectability of her family, and the more 
important consideration of immense wealth, to oc- 
cupy the most brilliant and conspicuous station in 
society, she preferred a modest and retiring elegance, 
and the privilege of selecting her own friends, and 
gathering around her a select coterie, where unas- 
suming worth and unostentatious talent mingled 


BLEN^HEIM FOREST. 


309 


with the liberal minded and wise and good from the 
high sphere in which fortune had placed her, and 
formed a nucleus of rational and intellectual enjoy- 
ment, which she did wisely in not exchanging for 
the enduring and petty miseries attendant on the 
claims of the five hundred friends which those who 
have the means and power that wealth and station 
bestow are sure to be blessed with. In comparison 
with others more pretending, she was unknown in 
the world of fashion, but where the cry of the 
distressed burthened the ear with sadness, and the 
tears of the unfortunate fiowed in silent bitterness, 
or where the want-stricken suffered for bread, or the 
shivering poor for raiment, Mrs. Brentwood^s voice 
was a well-known and welcome sound, and a glance 
at her noble and benevolent face conveyed certain 
promise to the needy that comfort was near. Among 
these the means which many others spent in fashion- 
able follies, was discreetly expended, and, while at- 
tentively learning lessons which the unselfish spirit 
of her religion taught her, she made friends of the 
mammon of unrighteousness,” and laid up for her- 
self treasures where moth cannot corrode, neither 
thieves break through and steal.” Such was the 
character of Mrs. Brentwood, and as Father Francis 
and Mr. Beverly entered her elegantly furnished 
drawing-room, the walls of which were covered 
with unmistakable paintings of the old schools, and 
filled with rare works of taste and art, while soft 
shaded lamps threw a pleasant light over the rich 


310 


THE STUDENT OF 


hangings and immense mirrors, they discovered 
three personages seated around a mosaic table in 
unreserved and social conversation, and Mrs. Brent- 
wood, who was standing at the upper end of the 
room surrounded by several ladies of distinguished 
appearance, immediately stepped forward and re- 
ceived them, and expressed, in her own peculiarly 
quiet manner, and in sincere language, her pleasure 
at seeing them. Mr. Beverly was duly presented 
to the distinguished guests present, and to show 
how decidedly he had determined to conform in all 
things to Catholic practices, when Father Francis 
knelt to receive the blessing of Bishop North, he 
immediately followed his example. The little 
circle, now enlarged, drew up again around the 
table, and an interesting conversation ensued, 
marked by that polished wit, and those learned 
though not tedious discussions which always char- 
acterize the intercourse of gentlemen and scholars. 
Mr. Beverly was particularly pleased with the man- 
ners and sentiments of an English gentleman of 
distinguished birth and talents, who, travelling as 
an observer as well as tourist, dispensed with his 
title and rank, being too much and too long accus- 
tomed to the adventitious circumstances attendant 
on them at home to need the suffrages of republican 
opinion abroad. A gentleman in feelings as well 
as position, refined and liberal in his nature, it is 
not remarkable that all that was good and pure in 
the government and condition of the country should 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


311 


have claimed his commendation, while, although 
he could not possibly overlook certain abuses and 
much want of refinement among a people whose 
more substantial demands as a young republic 
necessarily excluded it, found more agreeable topics 
for the pages of his journal than the unconscious 
swine, or the great variet}'' of extraordinary pheno- 
mena attendant on the use of tobacco. Mr. Beverly 
had heretofore seen Father Francis only as the min- 
istering spirit of the sick room, or the indefatigable 
friend and instructor of the poor, and teacher of pious 
and simple lessons to the ignorant, and was now as 
much surprised as delighted to see him distinguished 
among the learned as a man of letters. If Mr. 
Beverly had looked on him with admiration and 
reverence while discharging the duties of his sacred 
office, he now thought he had never before seen him 
in his proper element, for without that little ambition 
to shine which more frequently than otherwise de- 
feats its own object, he was the centre of conversa- 
tion, and his opinions were not only listened to with 
pleasure but respect. Among those kindred spirits 
the hours were gliding too rapidly past. Mrs. 
Brentwood and one or two ladies now joined the 
circle, not, as they said, to interrupt but to listen, 
and there is only one question. Bishop, that we 
will annoy you with,^^ remarked one of the ladies; 

and as it involves a very serious dispute between 
Mrs. Brentwood and myself, I am very sure your 
charity if nothing else will induce you to answer it.” 


312 


THE STUDENT OF 


‘ at may not be in my power/" replied Bishop 
North, smiling ; "" but name it, madam."" 

We wish you. Bishop, to set us right about the 
last words of Metastasio."’ 

Bishop North, whose head reminded Beverly of 
some exquisitely carved old cameo, smiled and 
replied ; 

‘^Eeally, ladies, I shall have to transfer the honor 
you intend me to Bather Francis. Had you pro- 
posed for elucidation some question in mathematics, 
I could have answered you perhaps, but really the 
^ Nine " have not favored me with either the talent 
or taste for poetry which he possesses, therefore I 
must beg that you will excuse me."" 

''Such honors,"" answered Father Francis, pleas- 
antly, "have for several years past been so like 
' angel visits, few and far between,’ that my old 
companions, the poets, have remained undisturbed 
on their shelf and almost forgotten ; but the sub- 
ject now in question I fortunately remember, and 
have always considered it an exquisite gem of 
poetry and devotion. Shall I repeat the words, 
ladies, in the musical language of Metastasio"s native 
land ?"" 

"If you please, Father Francis,"" said Mrs. Brent- 
wood ; "these gems lose much of their exquisite 
polish by translation."’ 

"And then,” observed a lady, "for the benefit 
of those who do not understand the original. Father 
Francis will please give a translation."" 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


313 


“Metastasio,” said Father Francis, received 
the holy sacrament a short time before his last 
moments, and after a minnte^s profound silence, 
exclaimed, with an enthusiasm which brought the 
blood back to his sunken cheeks and the light once 
more to his dim eyes, 

** ‘ T’offro il tuo proprio figlio, 

Che gia d’amore in pegno, 

Rachiuso in picciol segno, 

Si voile a noi donar. 

A lui rivolgi il ciglio, 

Guardo chi t’offro e poi 
Lasci Signor se vnoi, 

Lascia di perdonar.’ 

‘ I offer to thee, 0 Lord! thy own Son luho has 
already given the pledge of love enclosed in this thin 
emblem, turn on him thine eyes! Ah! behold whom 
I offer to thee, and then desist, 0 Lord! if thou canst 
desist from mercy,^” 

Beautiful! said Mrs. Brentwood, with tears in 
her eyes; holy and sublime! 

It is one of the penalties of human enjoyment to 
be disagreeably interrupted, and a servant now en- 
tered and told Father Francis that a man was wait- 
ing for him below who wished him to visit a person 
that was dying. He immediately arose, and ex- 
pressing his regrets to the lady of the house for so 
abruptly terminating his visit, made his adieu. 

^^You know, bishop, said he, ^^too much about 
the necessities of a duty like this to require an 


314 


THE STUDEHT OF 


apology for leaving your society thus abruptly, so 
begging your blessing, I must hurry otf.” Mr. 
Beverly also excused himself, and returned to Mrs. 
Botelar^s to spend the night by the bedside of his 
dying friend. 

Father Francis left the well lighted and luxurious 
rooms, the society of congenial minds and the inter- 
change of intellectual thought, to venture forth in 
the night, which had clouded over and grown 
stormy, he knew not whither, for the man who 
came to guide him was sullen, and to his query 
replied: 

^^We had better be quick; the woman will be 
dead before we get there, and the child too.” 

What is the matter with the persons of whom 
you speak, friend?” inquired Father Francis, 
mildly, and whom do you mean by woman and 
child?” 

I mean my wife and child, and the matter is 
that they aje dying of starvation; will that satisfy 
your curiosity? ” 

“Poor man,” thought he, “you without doubt 
know the bitter meaning of want.” “Friend,” 
said he, aloud, “we are near my house. Stop hn 
instant with me; there is a cloak and one or two 
things which it is necessary for me to take with 
me.” 

“ We shall be too late,” said the man, surlily. 

“ Just one moment,” said Father Francis as he 
entered the house by means of a small secret key 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


315 


which he always carried, that he might not disturb 
his old housekeeper when he came in late at night 
from sick visits; will return immediately.^^ 

He entered his room, and, throwing a dark serge 
cloak around his shoulders, and consigning a flask 
of wine and a small loaf of bread to a capacious 
pocket in its side, again hurried out to join his sullen 
guide, and at a rapid pace they now breasted the 
storm of wind and rain which beat in their faces. — 
Far down in the city, in a dark and intricate court 
which led into a secluded alley almost choked with 
mud and litter, he conducted him. The few frame 
houses in it were blackened with age, and would 
have fallen except for the props which supported 
their tottering beams. A sickly light streamed at 
intervals across the dreary scene, making its horrors 
more apparent, and from one or two open doors 
sounds of drunken revelry came forth, disturbing the 
night, while from some den of a garret cries of dis- 
tress and shrill curses burdened the air with dis- 
cordant noise. Ho friendly watchman of the night, 
crying the hour beneath a well trimmed corporation 
lamp, was there to awe the brawlers into silence; 
and with voluble and unchecked fierceness the 
shameless tongues of women now joined the chaos 
of blasphemous sounds with words that caused the 
cheek of virtue to blanch with dismay. For an 
instant, and an instant only. Father Francis shrunk 
from his painful task, and thought with regret of the 
scenes of peace and refinement he had just now left. 


316 


THE STUDENT OF 


and had he followed the natural impulses of his own 
pure nature, he would that moment have left this 
ungenial and polluted atmosphere, and returned to 
the sanctuary of his home; but the still, small 
voice of duty,^^ and that spirit of utter renunciation 
of self which belongs so exclusively to the Catholic 
priesthood, and which counts all things as nothing 
for the sake of Christ, urged him on; so whispering 
a prayer for aid, and feeling that the protection of 
God was still around him, his step became once 
more firm, and, conscious of acting as the example 
of the meek and lowly Jesus had taught him, he 
hastened along to offer consolation to the unfortunate 
creature who was perishing soul and body for the 
want of some one to minister to her necessities, and 
no matter how vile the circumstances that surrounded 
her, or however stained her past life had been, her 
spirit, lingering on the brink of death and uncheered 
by the view beyond, had sent forth its cry to him, 
and the case being thus extreme, he felt the greater 
necessity for responding promptly to it. They now 
stopped before a ruinous looking hut, and the- man 
pushing open what was only an apology for a door, 
they entered. The dickering light of a farthing 
candle lent a dimmer and more appalling aspect to 
the dilapidated room. From the low ceiling the 
plaster had in many places fallen away, and the 
rain, trickling through the roof, fell in more than 
one busy stream on the clay floor, while in a corner, 
lying on a few armfuls of straw, was extended the 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


317 


form of a dead child. Poverty and death, the bane 
and antidote of life, those two extremes of existence 
which are nearest heaven, had accomplished their 
mission, and the innocent one, emaciated to the last 
degree by hunger and cold, had laid her poor little 
head on the breast of her kind mother earth and 
died. How calm was the settled beauty of her 
pallid brow through which the silent veins showed 
their delicate tracery ! how solemn and eternal seemed 
the peace which rested on her still white lips! Her 
thin, attenuated hands had fallen gently by her 
side, and her feet, young though world-weary, 
crossed each other in everlasting repose, while over 
the dead one’s shoulders, which were covered only 
by a few squalid rags, long dishevelled curls of 
bright hair fell like a beautiful mockery of death. — 
The man took the candle, and, stooping over the 
child laid his hand on her breast and exclaimed: 

Thank God! if there is a God, that you are out 
of your misery, poor little Nelly!” and then, throw- 
ing himself on a rude bench, buried his face in his 
hands and uttered not another word. 

^"The peace of our Lord be with you, my child,” 
said Father Francis to the poor woman, who lay on 
her miserable bed like a fragile flower drooping 
beneath the winter’s blast. She started* as the 
blessed words fell on her ears, and opening her eyes, 
raised them, instinctively with newly awakened 
hopes, to his face; but she was too much exhausted 
to speak, and they closed heavily again, and so softly 


318 


THE STUDEHT OF 


heaved up the almost spent breath from lifers worn 
cells that Father Francis exclaimed: ^^Alas! poor 
child, am I too late?^'’ The man heard these words; 
they penetrated through the morbid lethargy which 
despair was settling around him, and, approaching 
the bed with a wild haggard countenance, looked 
down into the pale face of his wife, and, bending 
over her, whispered: 

^^Lily, Lily — sir, she breathes ! 0 for a drop 

of wine to restore life ! but ha! ha! ha! wine for the 
poor, indeed! I will go out and ask the clouds to 
rain down gold, I believe/^ He was leaving the 
bedside when Father Francis asked him for a cup. 

A what ? inquired he, looking bewildered. 

A cup, my friend, he replied, mildly; “I have 
wine for your wife.'’^ 

Oh! said the man, often have this kind of 
dreams, and in them every one is offering wine and 
bread, but if I dream I have also to awake, and 
then comes — starvation. 

Father Francis looked at the unfortunate man 
with deep commiseration, but, finding it a hopeless 
case to expect any assistance from him, glanced 
round, and, seeing a broken tumbler on a shelf, 
took it down, and, pouring a small quantity of wine 
in it, raised it to the poor woman^s lips ; but, find- 
ing that in her present position she could not swal- 
low, he placed her in a more elevated and reclining 
posture, which change appeared to afford her great 
relief and she drank with difficulty a few drops. — 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


319 


The stimulating and refreshing fluid soon imparted 
a degree of warmth to her chilled and debilitated 
system, and, while Father Francis kindled a cheer- 
ful blaze on the hearth with a fagot or two which 
he found there, a genial glow slowly and gradually 
diffused itself through the damp, comfortless room, 
and she began to experience a consciousness of re- 
turning strength, which enabled her without much 
effort to speak in a connected manner. Her first 
inquiry was for her child, and, when she learned 
that it was dead, few but bitter were the tears she 
shed, and, to some kind remark of Father Francis, 
she replied : 

Ah! sir, I know it is right, and it would be sel- 
fish in me to grieve much, for poor little Nelly is 
now where want can never trouble her.” 

‘‘True, my poor child,” he, answered; “she 
rests on the bosom of God, and what more, what 
higher honor could you have asked for her ? ” 

“None, sir,” answered the poor woman, wiping 
away her tears as they fell; “I would only like 
her body to rest beside the others in our village 
church-yard, but that is far away, and she must be 
laid in charity ground among strangers now.” 

“ Let not these thoughts disturb you,” said 
Father Francis; “I will attend to having your 
child decently interred.” 

He now gave the man a few mouthfuls of wine 
and a portion of bread, which he greedily devoured, 
and, while he was listening to poor Lilyas whispered 


320 


THE STUDEJ^T OF 


confession, her husband sat looking with stupid as- 
tonishment as if an angel had descended to his poor 
abode, and finally, as the idea that human sympathy 
liad come Samaritan-like to apply the oil of consola- 
tion to their wounds, slowly impressed itself on his 
mind, the iron bonds which had seemed to confine 
the natural sensations of his heart and mind grad- 
ually unloosened their tension, and with a grateful 
and subdued spirit, he wept freely. 

Speak, sir,^^ said Lily after her confession was 
finished, speak if you please to poor Joseph. He 
has never been guilty of any crime, sir, although 
we have many, many times wanted bread which 
we were too proud to beg. He was once a pious, 
good man.’^ 

Joseph, my friend,” said Father Francis, seat- 
ing himself on the rude bench by his side, and 
passing his arm around his shoulders, you have 
known trouble ; well, think no more of the past ; 
endure patiently the present, and trust to Almighty 
God for the future, and all will be well.” 

I doubt it much, sir, though I thank you hum- 
bly for your kindness. It has been many a day 
since I heard a kind word.’^ 

And why, my friend ? ” 

‘‘1 was unfortunate, sir,” said the man bitterly. 

^‘Alas!” thought Father Francis, what a bitter 
and sarcastic truth on the charity of the world. — 
But Joseph,” he said, ^^if the world frowned on 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


321 


you, you should then have applied yourself more 
faithfully to the duties of religion. 

Perhaps so, sir. I once thought there was such 
a thing. 

Once thought I What mean you, Joseph ? 

“ I mean, sir, that when I began to go down hill 
people in the world, and of no religion, were the 
only ones that seemed to feel for me. The others, 
instead of helping me with a lift, gave me push after 
push, until I got to the bottom, and I began to 
think that religion was, after all, nothing more than 
a pretty humbug. 

“ My poor child,^’ said Father Francis, because 
a few individuals acted contrary to the spirit of their 
religion, and with a want of generous pity and pious 
duty, turned a deaf ear to your necessities, you 
should not have forsaken those holy practices which, 
in your misfortunes, could alone have sustained 
you. Religion was given us to make us humble in 
prosperity, and resigned in adversity, and to show 
on whom we ought to depend when the world with- 
draws its support. Let me beseech you, Joseph, 
to return to your duties, and God, whom you first 
forsook, wdll again receive and bless you.^^ 

Ah, sir,"’"’ said he, pointing to his dead child 
and weeping, that sight almost turns my heart to 
stone.” 

And why ? ” inquired Father Francis ; she is 
now an angel filled with the joys and plenitude of 
heaven. He who said, ^ Suffer little children to 
21 


322 


THE STUDEHT OF 


come unto me/ our Blessed Kedeemer, Joseph, has 
secured for your child an eternity of peace. She is 
freed forever from pain, hunger, cold and disease. 
Think not of her body, which is but dust, but think 
of her as she is, an angel with God."’"' 

^^It maybe so, sir, I cannot tell. I know she 
is dead, and that the cruelty of the world, which, 
out of its abundance, could not give me bread, has 
been the cause of it. Oh,^^ said he, clenching his 
hands, and drawing back his white lips in a perfect 
paroxysm of grief and indignation, ‘‘I did not beg 
from them ; I did not want them to support me in 
idleness ; all that I asked for was work, that I might 
earn my bread by the sweat of my brow, and this 
was refused.'’^ 

You Judge the world too harshly, my friend,^'’ 
said Father Francis, mildly, but, come with me, 
your wife is now strong enough to be left for a short 
time alone, and when we get into some public 
thoroughfare I will direct an undertaker to return 
with you and dispose of your child's body decently 
until to-morrow, when I will meet you at the 
church, and accompany it with you to the place of 
burial, which I will provide. And there are one or 
two other things which musthe attended to to-night. 
Both yourself and wife need food, and thank God, 
in a city like this, money, at least, will procure it 
at any hour. 

^^And now, my poor child," he said to the 
woman, ^^God bless you. Failure in. business^ 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


323 


subsequent ill health, poverty, and bereavements, 
you have borne meekly and without rancor, and He 
will reward your patience. To-morrow evening I 
will see you again, by which time arrangements 
will be made to conduct you from this horrible 
neighborhood.” 

Faithfully he kept his promises, and poor Joseph, 
who had been a bad manager, but had learned from 
that hard master, expermice, some salutary lessons, 
obtained employment, and was compelled at last to 
acknowledge that he had judged the world quite as 
harshly as it had judged him. His wife regained 
her health, and a steady succession of employment 
placed them once more in plain though comfortable 
circumstances. 


324 


THE STUDEHT OE 


CHAPTER XXI. 

COi^CLUSIOH. 

The morning star, hanging like an angel far up 
in the shadowy depths of the sky, was returning 
slowly to the new-born day its borrowed light ; it 
would soon disappear, its glory would ere long be 
absorbed by a greater glory; it would not set, but 
melt away on the shining horizon ; light would re- 
turn to light, like a spirit redeemed and purified, 
returning to its native heaven. Dr. Lurbeck who 
had been with Clavering during the night, now left 
him. 

‘‘ Is there no hope, doctor ? inquired Mrs. 
Botelar. 

None, madam, none. A few hours will termi- 
nate his existence.'’^ 

Mr. Beverly had gone to apprise Father Francis 
that the last dread agony, which was to sever the 
golden threads of life, was rapidly drawing near 
him. It was whispered through the quiet house 
that he was dying, and the sleepers arose, and with 
cheeks wet with fast falling tears went in to assist 
once more at the solemn death sacraments. There 
was no perceptible change in Clavering’s counte- 
nance. Ills pulse throbbed wearily, the finger of 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


325 


death had touched the warm current, and its glow- 
ing rose hue was fading from it forever ; the lilies 
of the grave already gathered, in pure beauty, about 
life’s fountain, and, like the mists of evening, 
chilled its ebbing tide. Father Francis, bearing the 
HOLY SACRAMENT, entered the room accompanied 
by Mr. Beverly, and when he approached to ad- 
minister, in holy Communion, the ^‘body and blood 
of the Lord ” to him, and for a moment elevated 
the spotless host, saying, Behold him, behold the 
Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the 
world,” Clavering, who had been for an hour 
speechless and helpless, gazed with eyes already lit 
up with beams from the spiritual world on it, and 
raising his hands, exclaimed in a clear, sweet tone. 

Thou hast come, 0 Lord of infinite love, to 
crown all thy blessings by thy benediction in this 
solemn hour. Concealed within yon spotless em- 
blem Thou art really present, oh ! sweet rapture, 
Jesus Christ, to receive once more the adoration of 
my departing soul and strengthen it for its confiicts 
with its last enemy. I was wandering and thou 
didst recall me — I was lost and thou didst find me 
— hasten then, sweet Jesus, the happy hour when 
throng thy death and resurrection, I shall be ad- 
mitted into the light of thy unveiled countenance.” 

He was then anointed with the oil of Extreme 
Unction, and while every other voice present was 
subdued and faltering, his was clear and steady, as 
he responded to the soul-touching prayers and litanies 


326 


THE STUDEHT OF 


of the church for his departing spirit Through 

the day he lingered. He uttered but few words, 
and frequently slumbered, but towards evening the 
restlessness peculiar to persons who die of this dis- 
ease became apparent, and, at his request, he was 
removed from his bed to the large chair where he 
usually reclined. Mrs. Botelar spent much time 
alone in the oratory. Mrs. Talmadge was there 
gliding gently, and moving softly about him, and 
whispering in tearful accents words of good cheer. 
The mental energies of Colonel Clavering were nearly 
prostrated, when the truth forced itself on his mind 
that his son must die, and he sat for hours rigid and 
pale, like one under the influence of catalepsy. 
His mother stood alone by his side, woman-like, 
sutfering and enduring, and the poor Irishman, 
Barney, who had been faithful in his attendance at 
the door of the sick room every day, happy if he 
could but catch a glimpse at his benefactor^s face, 
now entered, treading as softly as a child, and 
approaching him, knelt at his feet, and kissed his 
hand, and said imploringly, Bless me, sir ! 
He reached forth his hand gropingly, like one in 
the dark, and laid it tremblingly on his head, pray- 
ing that the blessing of Almighty God might rest for- 
ever with him. No sound was heard throughout 
the house, except the almost noiseless closing and 
unclosing of doors, and occasionally the hollow 
sound of the muffled knocker, as persons called to 
inquire after the invalid. 


BLEJq'HEIM FOREST. 


327 


Beverly/' said Clavering, you have blessed 
my last hours, friend, in your compliance with the 
demands of your conscience and religion. You 
have at last partaken of that banquet in which our 
beloved Lord gives us himself. When next you 
receive this heavenly food, you must remember my 
departed soul. We have loved each other in life, 
henceforth, after death, our intercourse will be spirit- 
ual, but not less profitable.” 

Again the shadows of the long, last sleep fell 
around him, and a deep slumber stole over him. 
Night wore on, and with the dark hours came 
sullen storms which howled and held high revelry 
in the upper air, and scattered gloom and dismay 
through the deserted streets of the city. 

Mother!" said Clavering, awaking. 

My child!" 

have dreamed, mother!" 

Of what, my darling? Smiles are on your 
countenance; of what have you dreamed, my 
child? " 

In my dream I was wandering through the 
depths of a gloomy and intricate forest, and impelled 
by supernatural influences, followed the footsteps of 
an unknown guide. Night closed over us at last, 
and on every side I heard the hissing of serpents, 
and unholy words from evil phantoms who thronged 
around us, and I clung affrighted to the arm of my 
guide. '^Fear not,' he at last said, ^the danger is 
past. Behold, here we rest, and pointed to a door in 


328 


THE STUDENT OF 


a rock, which, when he touched it, flew back, 
revealing within a spacious building with arches, 
pillars and aisles, hewn out of the solid granite. 
AVith a feeling of gratitude and security, I naturally 
turned to glance at the gloomy road which we had 
traversed, andlo! a light as intense as the sun, but 
not larger than the evening star, gleamed afar off, 
throwing a long vista of radiance through those 
dreary shades. ‘ Behold,^ said my guide, ^ what 
dost thou see?'’ I looked again intently, and in the 
distance discerned an altar, which the sharp con- 
trast between light and darkness had prevented my 
seeing until now, that my eyes, more accustomed to 
it, and less dim, beheld not only the altar, but, 
resting on it, in a halo of glory, the holy sacrament. 
‘Ah! '’said I, rejoicing, ‘that beam which throws 
its angel hue through yon frightful gloom is the 
immaculate victim of our redemption clothed in the 
white veil of the sacred host!^ ‘And I,'’ said my 
guide, ‘am thy guardian angel; ^ and he instantly 
shone like the sun, and unfolding his golden Avings, 
which dazzled my earthly e3'^es, said ‘ Yon spotless 
Lamb,^ and he signed himself with the sign of faith, 
and bowed his glorious head to the earth, ‘ hitherto 
concealed from you except by faith, throughout our 
gloomy way, smiles thus from the altar of propi- 
tiation on earth to give you a foretaste of the ravish- 
ment of his presence, and the ineffable light of his 
enduring smile, when you shall have passed within 
this silent mansion, and through yon long dim 


BLEKHEIM FOREST. 


329 


aisles, to the open portals which admit you where 
the glory of the Lord will forever shine around you.^ 
Mother! my eyes still glimmer with the reflec- 
tion of that ecstatic sight, my heart feels strangely 
moved; lay your hand on it, it throbs like a prisoned 
thing, heating its wings against the bars of its cage, 
impatient to be free.’^ 

“ Beloved child,^^ said Mrs. Clavering, trying in 
. vain to restrain her tears, ere long thy angel 
guardian will surely conduct thee to the silent man- 
sions, but thou wilt soar beyond these to repose for- 
ever in the mercies of thy Lord.^^ 

Tears, mother? Bather rejoice, and, while my 
eyes slowly close in death, chant with exultant 
voice the Te Deum for the body which will rest, and 
the soul which puts off its vestments of mortality to 
win eternal life.'’^ 

‘^My soul rejoices with thine, my child, but 
nature, while she regards thy desolate home and our 
lonely age, has nothing left but sadness and tears/^ 

He would have spoken, but the twilight shadows 
of the grave gathered around his vision, and as its 
chilling influence breathed on him, the flame of life 
quivered fitfully. He reclined motionless on the pil- 
lows which supported him. His hands, clasping 
a crucifix, reposed on his breast. His eyes, beauti- 
ful in death, were filled with an expression of 
triumphant faith. Mrs. Clavering knelt beside 
him. Even the agony of a mother^s heart was 
awed into silence as it contemplated the gradual 


330 


THE STUDENT OF 


passing of an immortal soul from the bonds of flesh 
into the presence of its God. Mrs. Botelar and 
Alice approached and knelt near him. Colonel 
Olavering, who had been watching the countenance 
of every one, perceiving this movement judged truly 
that the closing scene of life was at hand, and with 
faltering steps approached, and, standing for a 
moment, gazed on him in unsupportable agony, and, 
lifting his hands and eyes heavenward with Mepre-, 
eating glance, uttered groans which smote on the 
ears of those who heard them with a meaning of 
heart-rending import. 

There is one of whom we have not yet spoken 
who had come at the first intimation of his extreme 
danger to look once more on those features which in 
the bright days of yore had been so beloved. A simple 
white robe confined around the waist by a ribbon of 
the same spotless hue formed her dress, while over 
her pale forehead the waving masses of her dark 
auburn hair were braided Madonna-like. Her face 
was as colorless and pallid as his she watched. There 
was no cross on her bosom, no rosary depended from 
those thin white fingers which wandered like a minute 
watch to press the brow of the dying man, and 
while others knelt to sanctify by humility and 
prayer the close of life, she alone stood. This was 
Isadora. 

Without the storm raged wildly, the stars were no 
more seen in their tranquil glory, torrents of rain 
and sleet dashed with furious might against the 


BLEIS^HEIM FOREST. 


331 


quivering casement ; all was dark, gloomy and ter- 
rific. without, but within the strife of this elemental 
war was unheard by the dying. Life's conflict, its 
storms, its tears, its agonies were well-nigh past ; 
ah ! yes, and though the outer world was dark and 
night's jewels veiled their glistening brows behind 
the shadows of the storm, around his way a star of 
ineffable glory was shining, the “ winter was pass- 
ing away and flowers were beginning to appear in 
the land." 

Mother," he whispered, mother." 

My child, my beloved one, how is it with you ? " 
“ At the foot of the cross, at the foot of the cross, 
mother," he whispered ; but tell me, how is this ? 
the heavens glow around me ; I know not now 
where I am. Are you near me, mother ? " 

His mind wandered ; the mists of death confused 
for an instant the essence of life with that of eter- 
nity ; they were merely gliding past each other, one 
to the dust, the other to the unapproachable splen- 
dors of immortality. 

Father," he said, in a clearer and firmer tone, 
forsake thee only for the love and service of our 
Father in heaven, naught else, my father. Ah ! 
mother, he spurns me and turns away ; he forgives 
me not ; go to him." 

^‘Lord God!" exclaimed Colonel Clavering, 
deserve it all. Louis — Louis — ^but, alas 1 he knows 
me not." 

The dying young man closed his eyes and seemed 


332 


THE STUDEHT OF 


to sleep ; a change was passing over him ; a slight 
tinge mantled his cheeks, and his breath became 
quick and difficult ; the mist had passed away from 
his spirit, and he now raised his eyes, beaming with 
sweet and resigned patience, towards heaven. 

‘‘Father,^' he said, raise me in your arms.” 
Dying men, it is said, have their fancies ; his was 
to lean his head on the bosom of that parent, that 
they who had been separated and endured such 
silent agonies in life might bless each other in sweet 
hope and forgiving love at the portals of the tomb. 

While he lay reposing his head like an innocent 
child on the breast of his father, whose embracing 
arms closed fondly around him. Father Francis en- 
tered the room, and, kneeling by his side, encour- 
aged and cheered him with heavenly promises as he 
Avalked beneath the shadow of death. Silent he 
lay, easy and more tranquil, while fainter and fainter 
throbbed the pulses of life ; the soul was gradually 
absorbing the last remaining drop of that principle 
which imparted vitality to its tenement of clay. 

Can it be ? can it be ? ” he whispered, raising 
his now sightless eyes upwards ; am I yet on 
earth ? are those sounds that steal around me so 
softly the echoes of heaven, and those beams of 
light shining, floating, gathering around me, what 
mean they ? ” The spirit thus basking in those 
celestial visions imparted a hue of unearthly beauty 
to his death-cold features. His lips move ; we hear 
not the words — but listen ; again he whispers 


BLEiq^HEIM FOREST. 


333 


almost inarticulately, and we can distinguish the 
holy names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ; and 
while, with a last effort of expiring nature, he 
clasped his crucifix closer to his breast, his gentle 
soul passed away without a pang into the presence 
of its God. 

It was night, and the waters of the old Rappa- 
hannock were once more bright with reflected light. 
It was a strange sight, those boats floating lazily on 
the tide, with long blazing torches at their bows, 
and filled with men who scarcely spoke one to 
another, and wore on their faces looks of such sad 
expectation. Along the shore more than a hundred 
negroes sat or stood in groups, and, by the red light 
of their rosin wood torches, many a bronzed cheek 
might be seen wet with tears. Not a word was 
uttered, but with strained eyes they looked out on 
the dark waters beyond, and with strained ears lis- 
tened for the first sound of dashing oars. No sound 
was heard except the waves which softly plashed 
against the pebbly shore, and the distant howl of 
the chained house-dogs whose instincts informed 
them that no common event had caused them to be 
thus deserted. The far off sounds of a tolling bell 
now came swelling along the waters, and ere long 
the continuous dash of paddles announced the near 
approach of a steamboat. On she came, swinging 
slowly round the point of woodlands which had con- 
cealed her lights from those in the boats and on 


334 


THE STUDENT OF 


shore, and, while the boats were rapidly rowed 
beyond the channel, she hove to. On her deck, 
beneath a rich velvet pall, reposed the body of the 
heir of Blenheim Forest. It had returned to claim 
its hereditary title to a resting-place in the family 
vault of the Claverings. 

Ease away there ; ease off the ropes ; steady all 
hands, steady, exclaimed a deep-toned manly voice 
as the coffin was slowly lowered and settled on the 
thwarts of the boat which had been prepared for its 
reception, with a hollow and lumbering sound. — 
Between the . oar-locks in each side three upright 
torches were blazing, and by their light the white 
cross on the velvet pall gleamed out in bold and pure 
relief. Colonel Clavering and Father Francis sat in 
the stern, Mrs. Clavering, Mr. Beverly and Isadora 
followed in another boat, and slowly and solemnly 
the funeral train moved with the measured stroke of 
oars to the shore. When the famil}^ servants recog- 
nized the shrouded coffin of their beloved master and 
friend, their emotion could be restrained no longer, 
and, while many of them in their eagerness to ap- 
proach it dashed wildly out into the waters, they all 
uttered lamentations whose mournfulness can more 
easily be imagined than described. Sad was their 
farewell, more sad and heart-touching the welcome 
on his return. The doors which had closed on him 
in life now opened wide to receive him dead. — 
Through the favorite haunt in which we first saw 
him his body was borne by eight gentlemen, and in 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


335 


that drawing-room which, when the young heir was 
last in it, rung with music, mirth, and gladness, they 
laid him down silently amidst their tears. 

Colonel Clavering, Father Francis, and Mr. Beverly 
watched through the night beside him, and day 
had scarcely dawned when Mrs. Clavering, ex- 
hausted in body and bruised in spirit, came there 
also to weep. The coffin lid was turned back. His 
face, unchanged, was beautiful in death. She 
pressed her lips on his icy brow and leaned her 
cheek on his, and, clinging to the coffin, called on 
him in frantic accents. Those who had loved him 
in life and had come to gaze on him for the last 
time ere he was concealed forever from them, were 
unmanned by this, touching scene, nor strove to hide 
the tears which streamed over their cheeks or repress 
the sobs that caused each manly chest to heave with 
sincere emotion. 

He was buried according to the solemn ritual of 
the faith in which he died. 

Several years after these events, a sudden and vio- 
lent storm was wildly rushing through one of the 
difficult mountain passes in Italy, and a carriage 
containing three travellers was placed in a situation 
of extreme peril ; for the horses, frightened and un- 
manageable, had become entangled in the traces, 
and, in seeking instinctively to extricate themselves, 
had by their violent exertions dragged the carriage 
over a fallen tree and broken the springs. The 


336 


THE STUDEKT OF 


horses continued to plunge and start so wildly that 
the postillions could scarcely control them, and it 
was only after repeated and dangerous efforts that 
the travellers were enabled to leave their perilous 
situation and take shelter beneath the overhanging 
rocks where they were still exposed to the violent 
peltings of the tempest. Night was coming on, the 
storm increased in violence, and their situation was 
becoming every moment more appalling, when the 
sound of an Ave Maria bell tolling at no great dis^ 
tance assured them that they were within reach of 
aid from some friendly convent, and, preceded by 
their guide, they followed the sound and soon per- 
ceived the lights gleaming from its windows, which 
directed them immediately to its gates. It was the 

Monastery of , and they were instantly admitted 

within the portals, and received by the Superior 
with the utmost kindness and hospitality, who con- 
ducted them with words of sincere welcome into the 
parlor, which was soon made comfortable for the 
wet and weary travellers. Fruits, wheaten cakes 
and wine were placed before them, to which truly 
Southern fare they did ample justice. The Superior 
left them to accompany the religious to the chapel 
to perform the usual evening office, but before re- 
tiring came in to see that everything was arranged 
for the comfort of his guests, and say good-night. 

‘"1 perceive, said he to the travellers, ^‘that you 
are English.” 

No, Father Superior, we are Americans !” 


BLEl^HEIM FOREST. 


337 


‘^Americans ! how fortunate ! There is an Ameri- 
can gentleman who completed his theological 
studies, and was ordained a year ago in Rome, who 
will be received into our order to-morrow morning, 
and, if you please, I will send a lay brother to con- 
duct you to the chapel to witness the reception.^* 
They expressed their pleasure and thanked him for 
their considerate kindness. 

On the following morning the melodious tones of 
an organ, subdued and sweet, as they stole from the 
distant chapel through the corridors and passages 
of that ancient house, aroused the travellers from 
the] deep sleep into which previous exhaustion and 
fatigue had thrown them. Making a hasty toilet, 
they accompanied the lay brother, who had been 
patiently waiting for them, to the chapel. From 
their devout manner, it was no difficult task to com- 
prehend, at once, the creed they professed. The 
postulant, who was seated in front of the altar in 
the sanctuary, started, as his eyes fell on the feat- 
ures of the gentleman of the party, who was equally 
astonished when he recognized in him a familiar 
face. These were Colonel Glavering and Mr, 
Beverly ! 

Mrs. Clavering and Isadora knew him at a glance, 
and it was with much effort that they controlled 
their emotion. The last time they had seen him 
he was weeping over the remains of one who was 
dear to both. A warm flush passed over Mr. 
Beverly^s countenance when he recognized them, 
22 


338 


THE STUDENT OF 


but it soon faded, and left his face pale and sub- 
dued as before, nor did he again raise his eyes dur- 
ing the ceremony They requested to see him 

before they left the monastery, and awaited with 
some anxiety for his appearance, hut he came not, 
and the Superior handed Mrs. Clavering a small 
package, which on being opened, was found to con- 
tain an exquisitely painted miniature of her deceased 
son, and a brief note containing these words: I re- 
turn to you, as its proper owner, the last and most 
cherished memento of that world from which I am 
forever separated. It reminded me too constantly, 
and with too many regrets, of its beloved original. 
In the celebration of the holy mysteries the soul of 
my departed friend is daily remembered by me, also 
those whom he loved on earth. Thus only do I 
wish to be reminded of the past. Pray for Brother 
Ignatius.” 

* % * % ^ ^ 
Colonel Clavering did not long survive his return 
from Italy, and now sleeps beside his child. Mrs. 
Clavering and Isadora, in the fervent practice of the 
duties of religion and charity, like Mr. Beverly, try 
to forget the past. Mrs. Botelar died, full of years 
and honors, a few weeks after seeing the gentle Alice 
united to the eldest son of Mrs. Brentwood, who is 
now a distinguished member of the Maryland bar. 
Mrs. Talmadge may still be seen perseveringly seek- 
ing out the needy and distressed, through rain and 
sunshine, heat and cold, she still, regardless of self. 

R D - 8 


BLENHEIM FOREST. 


339 


administers in person to their wants. The tran- 
quillity of Father Francis" life has been interrupted 
by many cares; its uniform and quiet routine was 
disturbed by a communication from Eome, which 
placed, unsolicited, a mitre on his head. Father 
Harley, the measure of whose days was filled up 
with humility and good works, sleeps the sleep of 
death. 

In a business part of the city a sign may be seen 
over the door of a neat and well-filled grocery es- 
tablishment, on which is painted, in modest charac- 
ters, the name of B. 0"Callan, and from the evi- 
dences of industry and thrifty management about it, 
we infer that our old friend Barney is not only in 
prosperous circumstances, but a living illustration of 
the fact that piety, integrity, and virtue meet their 
reward sometimes even on earth. 


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